The Thai government has stood by its policy granting citizenship to more than 483,000 long-term migrant residents and ethnic minority members, a decision approved by the cabinet on October 31. The move aims to simplify the citizenship process for individuals who have resided in Thailand for many years or were born in the country, a measure the government argues is both lawful and economically beneficial.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated that this decision addresses longstanding residency and citizenship issues while encouraging economic participation by reducing bureaucratic barriers. Interior Ministry spokeswoman Traisulee Taisaranakul emphasized that the measure aligns with existing laws, aiming to streamline the process without suspending rule enforcement. She explained that applicants already submitted citizenship requests and had undergone standard assessments.
Critics, however, have voiced concerns that the policy could be politically motivated. Direkrit Janekrongtham, a former senator, argued that granting citizenship to migrants and ethnic minorities might increase their influence, allowing them to participate fully in local and national elections and possibly creating political ties to coalition parties supporting the policy.
Addressing these criticisms, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai refuted claims of political pandering, insisting the policy merely facilitates the process for those already eligible under the law. He assured that safeguards would be enforced to revoke citizenship from individuals found to be a threat to public safety or national security. Government spokesman Jirayu Huangsab also pointed out that the measure builds upon a 2021 cabinet resolution and is intended to expedite the recognition of Thailand’s ethnic minority populations, some of whom entered as early as the 1980s.
Jirayu added that, without these policy changes, citizenship applications might face a delay of up to 44 years, underscoring the policy’s efficiency in addressing both current and historical migrant status issues in Thailand.
