Thailand grants citizenship to 72 stateless individuals

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From The Thaiger

A historic moment unfolded in Chiang Rai as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra presented Thai citizenship cards to 72 individuals from ethnic minority groups, marking a monumental step towards addressing statelessnessin the country.

The ceremony, held at the GMS International Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday, December 1, highlighted Thailand’s commitment to inclusivity and human rights, with key officials and representatives from international organisations, including the UNHCR, UNICEF, and IOM, in attendance.

The event kicked off with a cultural performance celebrating Chiang Rai’s ethnic diversity before the 38 year old prime minister delivered an address. One of the new citizens could not contain his happiness.

“We have waited for this moment for so long. Today, we feel truly Thai, and we are grateful to the government for seeing our importance.”