U Bo Kyi, the co-founder of an association based in Mae Sot that keeps a database of political prisoners, in Mae Sot, Thailand, Feb. 1, 2012. Now that the Myanmar government is earning plaudits for its program of reforms, hundreds of dissidents living abroad may need career counseling. (Adam Ferguson/The New York Times).
A wary eye … Burmese exile U Bo Kyi, at his office in Mae Sot, says he is not considering returning home. Photo: The New York Times

MAE SOT, Thailand: For more than two decades, they were symbols of defiance against Burma's military dictatorship, campaigning tirelessly in foreign countries for regime change.
Now that the government is earning plaudits for its program of reforms, though, hundreds of Burmese dissidents living abroad may need career counselling.

''It's becoming difficult to find things to complain about,'' said Aung Naing Oo, the deputy director of the Vahu Development Institute, an organisation in Thailand formed by Burmese student activists who fled Burma in the late 1980s.

Such exiles, as they are known, have watched from afar as Burma has released hundreds of political prisoners, relaxed media censorship and allowed the symbol of Burmese democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi, to begin campaigning for elected office.

''Things are moving on the inside,'' said Aung Naing Oo, who returned to Burma in early February. ''Everyone is basically hoping that they can go back.''

Over the years of Burma's isolation, the exiles were important liaisons between the country and the outside world. They persuaded Western governments to impose sanctions on the military regime and published opinionated but often valuable news and intelligence gleaned from sources inside Burma.

But the global Burmese-dissident business may soon be out of business. Money for policy seminars is drying up, and foreign diplomats would now rather fly to Burma than have lunch with exiled dissidents, as President George Bush did during a visit to Thailand in 2008.

If the changes in Burma have surprised many observers, they have been particularly disorienting for exile groups, many of which are based in Mae Sot, a Thai city on the Burmese border.

''I've spent half of my life with the revolution,'' said Myat Thu, a former student activist who came to Thailand more than two decades ago.

He recounted his escape through the jungles of eastern Burma after the military quashed a popular uprising in 1988. He and his Thai wife, Khemitsara Ekkanasingha, run a cafe adorned with ''Free Burma'' stickers and pictures of Suu Kyi.

Khemitsara began a campaign last year for the release of 200 women political prisoners in Burma, printing postcards and organising marches and vigils. Now, all 200 women have been released, and she is thinking about other causes to champion, perhaps related to global economic inequality.

Other dissidents here say they want to continue working on Burma related issues, partly out of lingering mistrust of the government, but they are not sure how long they can stay in exile.

The Democratic Voice of Burma, which was instrumental in disseminating images of the 2007 military crackdown in Burma, is based in Norway.

Formerly, journalists caught in Burma working under cover for the Democratic Voice group were imprisoned. Now, Aye Chan Naing, the organisation's executive director and chief editor, says he is negotiating with the government about opening an official branch office inside the country.

''I think, within one or two years, if things keep moving in this direction, a lot of dissidents will move back, and the funding will dry up,'' he said. ''Some groups have been warned that this is their last year of funding.''

The President of Burma, Thein Sein, and his government have been trying to lure exiles back. Aung Min, a government minister, went to Thailand this month to woo dissidents, says Aye Chan Naing, who met with him.

''Ultimately, if you're an activist, you want to be where the action is,'' said Aung Naing Oo. ''If that action is not where you are, you have to move.''

But a number of dissidents say they are unpersuaded by the changes and are not
considering returning home.

''I don't believe,'' said U Bo Kyi, the co-founder of an association based in Mae Sot that keeps a database of political prisoners. He fled Burma 13 years ago and says he is waiting for Burma's leaders to acknowledge and make amends for imprisonments, torture and many other abuses.

''We do not want revenge,'' he said. ''But we need recognition and reparations by the government.'' He is, above all, looking for an apology. ''Confession is very important for national reconciliation.''

The New York Times