Rapid Granting of Thai Citizenship to Ethnic Minorities Begins on June 30th
Thailand's Prime Minister Announces Fast-Tracked Citizenship for Ethnic Minorities
In a significant move aimed at promoting equality and fundamental rights for ethnic communities, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has announced that ethnic minority groups in Thailand will be able to obtain Thai nationality within five days, starting from June 30.
The Prime Minister made this announcement via her official Facebook page on Saturday, thanking the Department of Provincial Administration and the Ministry of Interior for their efforts to streamline the process. This decision follows the approval from both the National Security Council and the Cabinet to make the promise of fast-tracked Thai nationality applications a reality.
The current process for verifying the rights of ethnic communities has been protracted and overly complicated for over 30 years. This has deprived ethnic communities of fundamental rights, including access to state welfare, housing, employment, travel, and civic participation.
Paetongtarn stated that every moment lost has meant missed chances for education, livelihoods, and the exercise of legally recognised rights for ethnic communities. She expressed her congratulations to ethnic minority groups who have long awaited a resolution to the issue of citizenship and legal status.
The reduction in the waiting period for citizenship for the children of ethnic minorities has been cut from 180 days to five days. Similarly, the time required for permanent residency applications for ethnic minorities has been reduced from 270 days to five days.
Chiang Rai alone accounts for over 90,000 individuals, the highest number in the country, who are still awaiting verification of their nationality and legal status. This change is expected to have a significant impact on the lives of these individuals, providing them with the opportunity to fully participate in Thai society.
The Prime Minister concluded that from now on, the children of ethnic communities will finally become full citizens-Thai nationals with rights and freedoms under the Constitution. This announcement marks a significant step forward in promoting equality and fundamental rights for ethnic communities in Thailand.
However, it is important to note that while extensive information about this policy is not yet widely available, the Prime Minister's announcement has been confirmed on her official Facebook page. Further details about the implementation of this policy are expected to be released in the coming days.
- This fast-tracked citizenship policy by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is not only about granting ethnic minorities Thai nationality swiftly but also opening doors for access to education, employment, travel, and civic participation.
- The, previously, overly complicated and protracted process of verifying the rights of ethnic communities in Thailand will now be expedited in the realm of policy-and-legislation, with business opportunities and integration into the economy potentially following suit.
- The reduction in the waiting period for citizenship and residency applications for ethnic minorities is significant news for the general-news landscape and a testament to the Prime Minister's commitment to equality in Thailand.
- With the streamlined process passing through the National Security Council and the Cabinet, the implications of this announcement reach beyond the immediate scope of ethnic minorities, impacting various sectors of Thai society and politics as a whole.
