March 20, 2008
Bangkok - Thailand is a favourite destination for North Korean refugees because of its relatively humane policies.
Refugees also travel to Thailand’s neighboring countries like Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
Increasing number of North Koreans are fleeing their homeland, partly because of persistent food shortage.
Thailand asked South Korea to admit hundreds of refugees to relieve pressure on its immigration centre in January, according to Chosun Ilbo.
"There has been no such formal request from Bangkok, but the Seoul government is doing its best to relieve the burden with the number (at the immigration centre) decreasing in the past six months," a government official told AFP.
Yonhap news agency said more than 2,500 North Korean defectors settled in South Korea last year alone, and that about half came via Thailand.
Chosun said an estimated 800 North Koreans are still staying at police stations, private homes or immigration facilities in Thailand, with hundreds more in Cambodia and Laos.
