An attempt to extort money at the end of December from a desperate family, all of whom were to be resettled in the US during January/February 2017, has been labelled avaricious.
A Pakistani Christian refugee family received approval through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Thailand for Refugee Status Determination (RSD) to resettle in the US. Such approval was rare enough to bring a moment of exuberant joy to the beleaguered Pakistani Christian asylum seekers of Bangkok. However, this joy was soon to come to an abrupt end, as news of a fine imposed on every member of the family for overstaying their original tourist visa, spread throughout the community.
The Government of Thailand, unlike many other nations across the world, chooses to retain the policy of fines for refugees who are to be resettled abroad, despite the fact that the removal of such persons reduces the burden on their own nation.
