Marginalization as a result of the statelessness of Rom Thai villagers, Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai province

Abstract

This thesis aims to study marginalization as a result of the statelessness of Rom Thai villagers, Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai province. The statelessness of Rom Thai villagers results from having missed the population census and house registration surveys. This study divides the population studied into two groups: the stateless villagers who missed the population census and house registration and who still hold cards for displaced Burmese nationals as their identity cards; and the 1,243 formerly Thai nationals whose nationality was revoked in 2002 and reinstated in 2005. The research finds that both populations studied are still marginalized because they are denied access to the basic rights which are indispensable for human livelihood in three aspects. The right to occupation of the stateless people is restricted by law as well as knowledge and competence of stateless people. The stateless people are not restricted in the right to education and scholarships according to regulations; but in practice, stateless children still do not have access to scholarships as a result of conflicting regulations. Finally, the stateless people are denied national health insurance and have to pay their medical fees in full. Moreover, the stateless people are denied basic health care services from the public health volunteers of the village because they do not have Thai nationality and hold cards for displaced Burmese nationals