Citizenship fast-tracked for teens bound for competitions in the US

[rooster59]

Citizenship fast-tracked for teens bound for competitions in the US

By NATTAWAT LAPING, 
KRIANGKRAI RATTANA 
THE NATION WEEKEND

 

 

TWO TEENAGE schoolgirls in different corners of the Kingdom received national ID cards for the first time on Friday after being invited to represent Thailand in overseas academic competitions.

Yonladee Phiyatat, 17, of Rayong and Nampeung Panya, 18, of Chiang Rai were both born in Thailand. 

 

Yonladee’s request for citizenship was quickly approved earlier this week when word spread online and in news outlets that she risked losing the opportunity to attend the Genius Olympiad in the United States. 

 

Ploy, as she’s nicknamed, won a national competition and the chance to move up to the international level in New York next month. 

 

 

But her stateless status meant she couldn’t get a passport and thus wouldn’t be allowed to enter the US. 

 

Ploy didn’t automatically acquire citizenship because her parents are foreigners who’d migrated here. 

 

But on hearing of her plight and the public sympathy it stirred, the Interior Ministry’s Provincial Administration Department fast-tracked her application. 

 

Yonladee was delighted when she received her ID at the Muang Ranong District Office on Friday, her parents and teacher on hand. 

 

Ranong Governor Chatupoj Piyumputra and Muang Ranong district chief Boonchai Somjai were at the office to facilitate the matter. 

 

“She is qualified in accordance with the law to receive citizenship,” Chatupoj said. “She’s going to bolster Thailand’s reputation at the international level.”

 

Nampeung followed Ploy into the media limelight and garnered the same support and prompt action. 

 

 

She’s been invited to compete at both the Genius Olympiad and next month’s Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in the US Midwest state of Minnesota. 

 

Chiang Rai Governor Prachon Pratsakun on Friday handed her not just her new ID card but also cash to help cover expenses on her trips. 

 

Nampeung’s parents are members of the Tai Yai ethnic minority. She’s attended school in Chiang Rai since kindergarten. 

 

Thammasat University’s Bangkok Clinic run by law lecturers has helped both teens in their quest for citizenship. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30369175

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-05-11

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[Just1Voice]

It's about time the government did something right. 

[impulse]

Best of luck to them, and I hope the US Embassy fast tracks their visa applications.  Otherwise, they may not get approved at all, much less in time for next month's event.

 

[Longcut]

Funny how fast the government moves when there's a chance it might make them look good. What about all the others that are not entering any contest? Do they just remain stateless?

[RJRS1301]

I find it incomprehensible that a person born in Thailand to permanent residents, is denied the RIGHT to citizenship. No person should be stateless. 

[ThaiBunny]

2 minutes ago, RJRS1301 said:

I find it incomprehensible that a person born in Thailand to permanent residents, is denied the RIGHT to citizenship. No person should be stateless. 

How long have you lived in Thailand? Par for the course I'd have thought and no different to Koreans whose families had lived in Japan for generations only to find that they weren't (as they had thought) Japanese citizens

[yellowboat]

The old involuntary save face reaction.  Happy for the girls as they probably deserved this for a long time, but saddened how things are managed in Thailand.  Sure there are thousands of other deserving people waiting also.