Thailand's Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul made a blunt statement directed at foreign nationals who have long resided in the kingdom, urging them not to exploit local authorities and to go home to die, according to infohub.kz.
As reported by NUR.KZ, citing RIA Novosti, the head of government gave this advice at a meeting with provincial governors of Thailand. According to the local Nation agency, the trigger for the harsh reaction was a request from foreigners to establish a private cemetery.
"Recently I learned that (from foreigners — ed.) there was even a request to create a private cemetery. This is too much, it goes beyond all bounds. You should be grateful that we allowed you to come here. To come to earn an honest living. If you are destined to die — go home to die. There is no need to die here. And do not try to exploit us," Charnvirakul said.
The prime minister also added that foreigners should not, at their own discretion and without permission from the authorities, establish religious institutions and communities on Thai territory, much less "obtain a restaurant license and instead open a prayer house."
He instructed that illegal activities by foreign citizens in their provinces be resolutely suppressed, as well as cases of foreigners showing disrespect for Thailand's traditions and people.
"Thailand is ready to welcome foreigners, but cooperation must be mutually beneficial. Tourism brings money and investment to the country, but this does not give anyone the right to exploit others or use investment to conduct illegal activities," the prime minister said, explaining that such activities include using Thai citizens as nominees in organizing businesses in the country.
He added that this concerns people from a wide range of countries, not just one region, including states in Asia, the Middle East, Central Asia, Europe, and Africa.
The publication notes that earlier this week, by order of the Thai authorities, a private Jewish cemetery established two years ago was demolished after the local administration did not renew its cemetery license. Because the majority of Thailand's residents are Buddhist, whose traditions involve cremating the bodies of the deceased, there are very few cemeteries in the country. Most existing cemeteries are Muslim and Chinese. The kingdom also has several official Christian cemeteries, including Catholic and Protestant ones, as well as one Russian Orthodox cemetery at an Orthodox monastery.