'Regional' solution needed for Myanmar migrants

Thailand's prime minister reaffirmed yesterday the need for a "regional" solution to the fate of hundreds of Muslim boatpeople from Myanmar who have washed up in neighbouring nations in recent months.
"Essentially, it is a regional problem and must be dealt at a regional level," Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters after meeting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono here.
Regional governments would discuss the issue at a March meeting of the Bali Proces, a ministerial-level forum co-chaired by Indonesia and Australia on people-smuggling and human trafficking, he said.
"All affected countries must work together to make sure that our national security is protected and at the same time that these people are treated in a humane way with their rights and their dignity respected," he added.
Thailand has faced criticism over claims that its security forces abused migrants from the Rohingya minority, hundreds of whom have been rescued in Indian and Indonesian waters in recent weeks.