Thailand moves forward on historic statelessness resolution

Bangkok, 7 May 2025 – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes the launch of Thailand’s historic drive to resolve the nationality and legal status of stateless people. At the Government Complex in Bangkok on 1 May 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul directed 1,106 provincial governors, deputy governors, district chiefs, and provincial police commanders to begin implemented accelerated pathways to nationality and permanent residence for over 480,000 stateless people in Thailand. These accelerated pathways were authorized by the Thai Cabinet Resolution of 29 October 2024, which outlines a pragmatic roadmap to grant permanent residence to approximately 340,000 long-term residents and nationality to 140,000 of their children born in the country.

The event focused on equipping senior local officials with the criteria and procedures necessary for implementation, raising awareness of the urgency of resolving statelessness, and emphasizing their pivotal role in driving policy forward at the provincial and district levels.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, underscored Thailand’s strong humanitarian and legal commitment.

“Thailand has ratified the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which enshrines the right to a nationality. A person without legal status is often marginalized, denied access to rights and opportunities, and vulnerable to exploitation. Resolving statelessness is not only a moral imperative but a strategic investment for our national security,” he said.

Mr. Anutin highlighted Thailand’s membership in the Global Alliance to End Statelessness, an initiative launched by UNHCR in October 2024 to end statelessness by 2030. He emphasized the importance of cross-agency coordination, encouraged criminal background checks as part of a responsible screening process, and reminded officials of their duty to implement the new procedures with both diligence and compassion.

The Cabinet Resolution introduces a more efficient and coordinated process for determining legal immigration status or permanent residency from 270 days to just 5 days, and nationality determination from 180 days to 5 days — a landmark improvement aimed at streamlining access to rights for eligible stateless individuals. A National Action Plan on Resolving Statelessness is also being developed in consultation with civil society, academia, and stateless communities.

“Statelessness is a solvable problem — and Thailand is proving that with bold policy, political courage, and compassion. We can change lives,” said Tammi Sharpe, UNHCR’s Representative in Thailand. “This is about more than legal status — it is about restoring dignity and unlocking potential. We welcome The Royal Thai Authorities swift, decisive, and inclusive actions to deliver on their historic commitment.”

UNHCR has long worked in partnership with the Ministry of Interior to support Thailand’s leadership in resolving statelessness. Notable recent contributions include supporting the Royal Thai Government in deploying mobile registration teams to hard-to-reach communities, as well as supporting those communities to physically access mobile registration exercises. The agency also contributed mobile registration equipment in early 2025, including computer sets, printers, card readers, and biometric tools to strengthen national civil registration systems. Additionally, UNHCR has backed training programs for the granting of permanent residence, awareness campaigns in over 10 ethnic languages, and operational support in three pilot provinces to enhance frontline capacity in legal status determination.

UNHCR’s support has been possible due to generous contributions from the European Union and the United States to end statelessness in Thailand, including by advancing the implementation of the 29 October 2024 Cabinet Decision.

UNHCR commends Thailand for the momentum with which they are implementing their Cabinet Decision. UNHCR reiterates its commitment to supporting the government in achieving solutions that uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals on Thai soil.