This research essay focuses on Myanmar refugees in Thailand, and explores the reality and dilemmas of voluntary repatriation of the refugees under the recovering situation of regional security, from the perspective of human security. Contrary to the expectation upon the refugee repatriation due to some ceasefire brought by the stakeholders of the armed conflict in Southeast Myanmar as well as ongoing democratization in Myanmar politics, the voluntary repatriation has been occurring only limitedly. This research has found the refugees in fact have different backgrounds, particularly between the ones fled from the uplands and the ones from the lowlands, and also the refugees of different background have different type of concerns and dilemmas upon voluntary repatriation. The upland areas still have problems with regard to both regional and human security, so that the refugees from the area still see the repatriation as almost impossible. On the other hand, even though the situation in the lowlands is much safer and more stable, the refugees from the area cannot have good prospects of their livelihood after the repatriation due to the lack of employment opportunity and adequate support in the homeland. In addition, there are now some newly developed settlement sites in Myanmar side for the displaced who cannot find a place to return. This however meets only the limited needs of the refugees. The essay finally discusses the relevancy of the repatriation in the current conditions and also the effectiveness of sustainable security communities for facilitating sustainable repatriation as well as recovering human security. Keywords: Refugees, Voluntary Repatriation, Durable Solutions, Human Security, Southeast Myanmar.
