Why Should Ethnic Minorities Receive Citizenship?

Citizenship is a human right according to the UN Declaration of Human Rights. In Thailand , citizenship is a right granted at birth to the majority population. It is available to foreigners who live in Thailand for ten years or more. There is no reason that ethnic minorities should be denied their right to citizenship. These populations provide a strong labor force, contribute to the booming tourist industry and above all, are human beings who deserve the same rights as anyone else.

The Thai Citizenship Project distinguishes between two types of non-citizen status and works directly with both populations:

Nationless people are recognized by the government; they have registered papers so that the government can document them, but they live without Thai Citizenship and thus live without the basic rights and services afforded to Thai citizens. They have Thai ID cards but not citizen cards. Nationless people are eligible to apply for Thai Citizenship (though it may or may not actually be granted).

Stateless people are not recognized by the government and their existence is essentially unknown within the country. If discovered in the country without an ID card, they are subject to immediate deportation, fines or arrest. Stateless people lack the documentation necessary to even apply for Thai citizenship.

For clarity, throughout this website those seeking citizenship will be referred to as "non-citizens" and not distinguished between Nationless and Stateless as it is Thai Citizenship Project's intention to work with all non-citizens regardless of their current status.