On 31 May 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs co-hosted the National Stocktaking Seminar on Ending Childhood Statelessness in Thailand with the Ministry of Interior, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) at the Landmark Hotel Bangkok. The seminar provided an opportunity for all stakeholders, including representatives from government agencies, the National Human Rights Commission, academia, and civil society to jointly review the progress in ending childhood statelessness in Thailand. The participants also exchanged views on challenges and possible solutions for approximately 150,000 stateless children that still remained in the country.

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Eksiri Pintaruchi, Director-General of Department of International Organizations, reiterated that “the right to nationality is a basic rights for every human being.” She also added, “Ending statelessness is a global agenda that countries around the world commit to work on, and has been included in the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

DG Eksiri emphasized that Thailand attached importance to this issue and had achieved considerable progress through the amendment of policies, laws and regulations relating to an acquisition of nationality or legal status to allow access by all groups of stateless persons; allowing birth registration for all children born in our territory; and enabling access to basic rights and public services, such as education, which is provided for free for all children regardless of their nationalities and legal status, and health coverage similar to those of Thai citizens for those who are registered with the Ministry of Interior (but not yet acquire Thai nationality).

She acknowledged that gaps and challenges still remained in practice, and expressed appreciation for support from all parties, particularly civil society organizations and UNHCR, which was instrumental in overcoming those challenges, better promoting and protecting the rights of these children, as well as enhancing their potential to economic and social contribute to the development of Thailand.