Hello from lovely Thailand! The rains are picking up, and I think we are heading into rainy season. Muddy but green!
Still no word on a final departure date, but there seems to be an NGO committed to taking over for us. Our team in Bangkok will meet with them early next week, and they will then come see us ‘on the ground’ around-about Thursday. I can’t see them being ready to solo until at least the 12th of June or so – probably longer.
One the plus side, there was a final press conference/plea for intervention on behalf of the Hmong refugees by MSF in Bangkok on Wednesday last week. Here are the speech and links to propaganda put out by MSF for the occasion: Hmong_Briefing_Paper_May2009, English version Thailand CP-V5-VA, and Speech Departure from Petchabun final. To date, some decent press coverage at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8061040.stm
http://uk.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUK124287606728._CH_.2420
http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/143883/disgruntled-medics-to-quit-hmong-refugee-camp
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/05/22/opinion/opinion_30103333.php.
MSF is also making a final attempt in Paris, the US, and Geneva to try to rally some action for the people. I am not real hopeful after the last 4 years, but at least no one can say we didn’t try. Ciao!
