Thailand is expelling hundreds of Illegal Burmese immigrants, including several dissidents in a desperate move to protect Thai-Burma relations and cripple anti-Rangoon activities of Burmese activists operating in the country.
It is believed that the crackdown was aimed at pleasing the Burmese Government ahead of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's visit to Burma on February 9 and 10.
Saw David Taw, Foreign Affairs spokeperson of Thai based National Democratic Front criticized Thai Government's policy as giving priority to self interest by disregarding human rights of people, who fled from fear of persecution at home.
Ko Myo Win, secretary general of another Thai based All Burma Students Democratic Front said Burmese dissidents do not pose any threat to Thailand's National Security and stability.
Ko Aung Moe Zaw, general secretary of the National Council of the Union of Burma described Thailand's current move has only short term benefit to Thailand.