Thai Nationality Bill, Hope For The Stateless

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Special Report: Thai Nationality Bill, Hope for the Stateless

The Network of Stateless Thais in January this year traveled from their hometowns along the Thai-Myanmar border to Bangkok to demand the enactment of the Thai Nationality Bill, which would allow them to reclaim Thai citizenship. Their hope is about to be realized after the House of Representatives has approved the bill in principle.

In the year 1823 during the reign of His Majesty King Mongkut ,Rama IV, Siam relinquished the western towns of Tavoy, Mergui and Tenasserim to Britain, which was then exerting a colonial rule over the neighboring Burma. The border demarcation treaty between Britain and Siam was officially signed in 1826. The areas then automatically became a part of Burma after its independence was granted by Britain in 1948.

The historical event resulted in the displacement of Siamese occupants of the three ceded cities. After coming under the administrtive rule of Burma, the group was discriminated against and treated as minorities by authorities. Therefore, they made a decision to migrate back to Siam to reside in areas which later became Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Ranong provinces of Thailand. Their return, however, was not recognized by local authorities and they were given the status of stateless persons.

In the present time, descendants of their stateless ancestors number over 20,000 and are living with neither identity nor rights to social services, including healthcare and education. Their attempt to regain citizenship of the country they once belonged to has been put off since the early 1990’s. Even though Thailand already has the Thai Nationality Act BE 2535 (1992) in place, the law requires the stateless people to obtain Burmese nationality before they can apply for Thai citizenship. The stateless group strongly disagrees with the offered method, deeming that they are one hundred percent Thai by blood and should be entitled to file for citizenship directly.

On 13 January 2011, more than 500 supporters of the Network of Stateless Thais began their march on foot for a distance of approximately 320 kilometers from the Singkhon Checkpoint on the Thai-Myanmar border in Prachuap Khiri Khan to the Parliament building in the capital city of Bangkok to stage a demonstration. Petitions were handed to Parliament President and House Speaker Chai Chidchob, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Satit Wonghnongtaey and Secretary-General of the National Security Council Thawil Pliensri, demanding an amendment of the current Thai Nationality Act.

After being informed on 29 January 2011 that the new nationality bill had been included in the Cabinet agenda, the Network of Stateless Thais disbanded peacefully with high hopes. The bill received a green light from the Cabinet on 1 February and was approved in principle by the House of Representatives on 2 March while its details are now undergoing revision for further endorsement.

Upon the enactment of the proposed Thai Nationality Bill, an honorary committee will be established with the authority to consider and verify stateless individuals’ qualifications for Thai citizenship. Set to come into effect 120 days after its publication in the Royal Gazette, the bill is an opportunity for the stateless population of Thailand to regain their long-awaited freedom and identity. Their hope to be recognized as rightful Thai citizens is only an arm-reach away from becoming reality.

-- NNT 2011-03-08

[Pib]

On the surface, sounds like a long overdue law. If finally enacted into law it may inspire other stateless groups to push harder for changes in the citizenship laws.

[asiawatcher]

This is really good news. I have been involved in some programs of relocation of these people to other countries and it simply made them miserable. They are Thai's and proud of it so when Thailand had the law to say they had to become Burmese citizens first - that is a screaming insensibility and baseless for any nation to insist their citizens become nationalised to a country they hate and despise. At least it appears these people will become truly Thai again and recognised as such.

[hgma]

everything with less attachment is a men-made thing.

And utterly disgusting.

I have been honoured to "make a difference"(even it was a small one) to volunteer for an organization who fight for their "right to belong"

Good article!

hgma