ABSTRACT
This chapter primarily traces the migration of Rohingya as asylum-seekers from Bangladesh to mainly Southeast Asian countries in boats and examines the reasons for the same. It shows how in order to seek a better life the Rohingya are compelled to take to the sea in perilous journeys to Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, with Bangladesh and Thailand being the main transits. The focus of this chapter is on their evolution as ‘boat people’ and the precariousness of their journey to seek out a secured territory. It points out that many do not even make it to the destination and perish midway. The chapter traces the history and context of these maritime drives, arguing that the phenomenon is not new.
