PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Burma was a country in South East Asia along with Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. It borders China, Thailand, India and Laos.
Burma was taken over by it's military in 1989 and renamed Myanmar. It declared war on it's non Burmese ethnic groups, and is facing corruption and poverty.
Thailand (Also called Siam. Formerly called The Kingdom of Thailand/Siam) was the richest country in South East Asia, with Vietnam being a close second, and it borders Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Vietnam. It used to be a popular tourist destination, ruled by a King called "The King of Siam".
There are also refugee camps in Thailand for Burmese refugees. One of them being Mae La. In the refugee camps, residents were served rations of rice and food oils. Burmese people fled for Thailand because they know it is the richest country in South East Asia, and it's close by
Recently, though, there was a Military Coup in Thailand. It resulted in the King having no more power, discrimination against it's ethnic groups that don't fall into the categories "Siamese" and "Khmer", martial law, and oppression. The style of government in Thailand is now a Military Regime. It has became poor and has led to problems for the Burmese people living there.
Recently, the Siamese military has taken over the refugee camps, like the Mae La camp, and does not allow residents to leave. They have also been receiving less food rations, and are now left to fend for themselves. They are now in the same condition as they were in their native homeland.
With Thailand's current condition, the Burmese people have no good choices. They have to either stay in Myanmar, flee to India, who is poor, China, who does not have a good relationship with immigrants and is known for it's strict laws, and Laos, who is very poor. They can't get to better countries like Vietnam, or Malaysia because they have to go through Thailand, or India, which is not only risky, but also tiring.
