Effects of Non-Citizen Status

1. Scholarhips and Loans for school are inaccessible.

Despite the poverty in which non-citizen families live, because of their non-citizen status they are ineligible for the national and international loans and scholarships available for schooling. This particular situation has been particularly common in the aftermath of the tsunami of 2004 as an outpouring of international donations and funding is completely inaccessible to non-citizens. See Tsunami Affected Populations

2. Basic Health Care is inaccessible.

Thailand 's welfare system allows for Thai citizens to visit doctors and hospitals for a fee of approximately 30 baht (equivalent to approximately $0.75 USD). These health care services are not available for non-citizens who lack an ID card to present at a doctor or hospital visit.

3. Face Labor Exploitation

Non-citizens in Thailand are not protected by basic labor laws and are not eligible for minimum wage. Therefore, these populations are readily exploited by employers who are quick to pick up cheap labor and increase profit margins. According to the government the existence of these people is illegal, thus, non-citizens are unable to advocate for their own protection and labor rights.

4. Subject to Travel Restrictions

Without the proper documentation of an ID card, non-citizens are not allowed to travel from province to province in Thailand . If they risk travel and are caught they are subject to hefty fines, arrest and even deportation. This means that these populations are limited in their ability to travel in search of better work and education opportunities.

5. Subject to Human Trafficking

Women and children are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of human trafficking in Thailand . They are often funneled, against their will, into the sex worker industry. Without citizenship they are easy targets and have no legal recourse to protect themselves.

6. Unable to own land, purchase a car or motorcycle

Non-citizens are not allowed to own the land they live and work on. They also are not able to purchase a car or motorcycle, often necessary for transportation from the hills into urban areas for work (public transportation does not go to the far reaches of rural areas that they inhabit). In order to purchase a vehicle, non-citizens must find a citizen to sign or co-sign with them.

7. Quality of Life is Reduced Significantly.

The state of poverty in which these populations live and the lack of basic rights afforded to them leaves them with few options and a quality of life significantly lower than that of their citizen-status counterparts.

8. Tsunami Victims' Specific Disadvantages (denials of rights)

The case of Tsunami victims in the south of Thailand highlighted the struggles of non-citizens in Thailand . As non-citizens they were not eligible for much of the relief that has been made available in the last year. For more information specifically on Tsunami affected non-citizens, click here.