Shan Rock Climber In Plea For Thai Citizenship

[george]

Shan rock climber in plea for Thai citizenship

BANGKOK: -- One of the most influential rock climbers in Thailand who has opened up climbing routes in the northern region has called on the government to give him Thai citizenship, warning that he has already missed out on participating in international competitions as a result of his lack of nationality rights.

Mr. Uthit Yotkhamman has appealed to the Senate human rights sub-committee on stateless persons after having had his application for citizenship refused since 2002.

Although the 26 year-old climber, one of the nation’s top five, was born in Thailand’s Mae Hong Son Province, he is an ethnic Shan and does not have automatic Thai nationality.

Currently working as a climbing teacher in Chiang Mai Province, he is known for opening up three major climbing routes in the northern region, and has been invited to participate in climbing contests around the world, including the ESPN Asian X Games in South Korea at the end of next month and the Phoenix Bouldering Contest in the US in September.

However, without Thai citizenship, Mr. Uthit has no ID card and as a result cannot be issued with a passport allowing him to travel.

Mr. Uthit’s case mirrors that of Mr. Boontham Sriboonthong, a Shan bodybuilder, who was eventually given Thai citizenship after repeated requests to the government.

--TNA 2005-04-24

[marquess]

Born here, living here for 26 years and still not a citizen! What does that tell you?