warning over asylum boats in bay of bengal

The following piece was published 7 November 2013, SBS World News Australia Radio.

By Ildi Amon
Melbourne

The United Nations refugee agency says the dangerous season for asylum seeker boats sailing through the Bay of Bengal has begun.

According to the UNHCR, the majority of those using this route are Rohingya Muslims fleeing ethnic tensions in Myanmar's Rakhine state, as well as Bangladeshi workers seeking jobs elsewhere.

The UNHCR's Vivian Tan told Ildi Amon thousands of people attempt this boat journey, mostly headed toward Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

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