Hilltribe Children Ask For Thai Nationality As Gift From Pm

[george]

Hilltribe children ask for Thai nationality as gift from PM

CHIANG RAI: -- Many Thai children will get what they want on this upcoming Children's Day. That's what Children's Day is all about. But for many ethnic minority hilltribe children in this northern province, Thai nationality is what that have long sought -- but which never materialises.

A group of 50 stateless hilltribe children in this northern province wrote a letter to list their grievances to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. In it they complained about how long they, unlike other children, have been suffering and deprived of social and welfare benefits, and that seems to be guaranteed for them in the future.

They asked the prime minister, in effect, to pay attention to their needs and to give them the present they want. If their wishes come true, they will be like other children -- and be in a position to make a contribution to society like other people do.

Without nationality granted at birth, the children said, they will grow up to be no more than downtrodden people who are ignored, denied social opportunity and the right to lead normal lives in society.

According to a survey jointly conducted by the ministries of the Interior and Education, there are more than 30,000 stateless people in Chiang Rai province, including 18,000 young people who may have an opportunity to attend school, but the pursuit of higher education and meaningful employment is denied them as a result of being born without birth certificates.

Lack of official documentation means that such persons are practically unable to travel, as they risk being arrested, charged with illegal entry -- and deported.

--TNA 2006-01-11

[Rinrada]

Go on Mr T...you can even borrow my pen.....

[stumonster]

Go on Mr T...you can even borrow my pen.....

yeah mr 't' , they can purchase AIS sim cards with their new identity cards....

[Phil Conners]

It's quite sickening to see how the hilltribes are exploited by TAT in TV programs etc yet they don't even have Thai nationality

[sonthaya]

Mr T please give the kids what they ask for, they deserve it.