Bangkok: The government insists on granting citizenship to ethnic groups, not foreign workers. The government confirms that the granting of citizenship in accordance with the Cabinet resolution of October 29, 2024, has a clear goal of granting citizenship to ethnic groups living and born in Thailand, not granting citizenship to foreign workers or aliens who enter the Kingdom.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Sasikarn Wattanachan, Deputy Government Spokesperson, revealed that the government emphasized the acceleration of the resolution of the nationality issue according to the Cabinet resolution of October 29, 2024. This resolution announced the criteria to accelerate the resolution of the nationality issue and the order for those born in the Kingdom of Thailand who did not receive Thai nationality, whose fathers and mothers are foreigners, to receive Thai nationality in general since June 30, 2025. The target group has been clearly defined as minorities/ethnic groups who have resided in Thailand for a long time and have been registered and have information in the population registration database, such as facial photos and fingerprints, approximately 140,000 persons.
The criteria include individuals born in the Kingdom with a father or mother who is a minority or an ethnic group that has been surveyed and registered in various groups, or whose name is in the house registration, with a 13-digit national identification number meeting specific numeric criteria. Additionally, it encompasses persons whose father or mother has been surveyed and registered as persons without registration status according to the strategy for solving the problem of personal status and rights according to the Cabinet resolution on January 18, 2005, including the Morgan people.
The government would like to confirm that the implementation of the Cabinet resolution on October 29, 2024, is not to grant citizenship to foreign workers, people of other nationalities, or people fleeing from the fighting living in temporary shelters. Instead, it is to resolve the problem of statuslessness of approximately 140,000 target groups, who are minorities or ethnic groups who have resided in Thailand for a long time and have systematically registered their records. The government has set clear, strict, and verifiable criteria to ensure efficient management, reduce loopholes for exploitation, and, importantly, improve the quality of life of those who truly have rights based on the principles of fairness and human dignity,” said Ms. Sasikarn.