Thailand’s cabinet approved a historic decision, granting citizenship to approximately 483,000 long-term migrant residents and their children, many of whom have lived in the country for decades.
The move aims to regularize the status of documented migrant workers and children born to ethnic minority parents, enhancing their rights and contributions to the Thai economy.
The policy, which directs the Ministry of Interior to establish implementation regulations within 60 days, will allow eligible applicants to begin the formal citizenship process.
The beneficiaries of the decision are divided into four distinct groups:
First group: About 120,000 migrants who have lived and worked in Thailand between 1984 and 1999.
Second group: Approximately 215,000 migrants who arrived between 2005 and 2011.
Third group: Around 29,000 children born in Thailand to ethnic minority parents.
Fourth group: About 113,000 children born to parents in undocumented minority or Indigenous groups.
The Thai government’s decision is anticipated to address long-standing concerns regarding the rights of ethnic minorities and long-term migrant workers, who have contributed significantly to Thailand’s economy.
By offering citizenship, Thailand will enable these individuals to access education, healthcare, and labor rights, opportunities previously restricted due to their undocumented status.
While the new policy marks a significant shift, government officials have noted that processing the large volume of applications may take up to 44 years.
Rights advocates have long argued that citizenship is essential to breaking the cycle of marginalization faced by many minority families in Thailand, and this decision represents a substantial step toward that goal.
