After the military coup in their native country on Feb 1, many Myanmar citizens working in Thailand say they are reluctant to go back home, but a student said he and his friends are determined to continue studying and later return to their homeland.
A 45-year-old Myanmar migrant worker, known only as Macho, said she was concerned over the fate of her country, as she believes other nations will boycott Myanmar resulting in a reduction of investment and loss of employment opportunities.
The country "is also going backwards" in terms of democracy, she said, noting that under the National League for Democracy (NLD) party, the country had found a new direction, such as better education and public utility systems.
Most people believed the military will not renounce their authority even though they have declared they will make way for new elections in one year, she said.
"Myanmar labourers in other countries [have been] urged to come back to work in Myanmar, but the move has destroyed their dreams instead," Macho said.
Another 35-year-old Myanmar worker, known as Min, said most Myanmar labourers hoped to save enough money before heading back to Myanmar to work.
However he added, "We now believe investors will want to move out [of Myanmar]. If we go back we will have to be unemployed. Or even if we are employed, we won't have a good income."
A 28-year-old student from Yangon said that although he was upset about the situation and worried what might happen to the country, he would do his best in his studies before going back.
"My plan is to continue my studies, and I will try to help my country by being a good citizen."
Although some Myanmar students may join rallies in Bangkok, most of his friends are too busy with their studies, he said.
