MYANMAR – The embassy of the terrorist junta council announced on September 12 that it will stop the passport renewal for students staying in Thailand on short term Non-ED visa, attending classes on virtual format, starting September 16, due to the increasing number of such students.
Young people staying on Non-ED visa shared that this was an attempt by the junta council to block young people leaving the country and force them into military conscription.
“This is just plain rude. Not renewing the passports of those staying on language visa means they are sending them back to Myanmar. Once they return to Myanmar, they won’t be allowed to leave and will be forcibly conscripted,” said a young man attending a Thai language program in Thailand.
Although the junta council said that students of long term programs will still be able to renew their passports, the Non-ED visa holders in Thailand said that it cannot be trusted.
“Thailand itself issued the visa but they are intentionally being obstructive. Even if they really won’t renew our passports, I won’t go back. It’s obvious they are doing this to conscript us,” said a young man staying in Thailand on Non-ED visa.
