The call by the Hill Area and Community Development Foundation (HADF) to expedite citizenship for elderly stateless persons underscores ongoing challenges in enforcing Thailand’s nationality laws. Although the Nationality Act B.E.2508 (1965) and the Cabinet Resolution of 29 October 2023 permit long-term stateless residents to apply for citizenship, complex procedures and excessive documentation continue to delay approvals.
These administrative barriers undermine constitutional principles of equality and non-discrimination, as well as Thailand’s commitment to human rights norms under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Many elderly stateless individuals, having lived in Thailand for over four decades, face exclusion from healthcare, welfare, and pension benefits due to their unresolved legal status.
To address this, the government should simplify verification processes and prioritise elderly applicants, ensuring that the legal right to nationality is effectively realised. Granting citizenship would affirm Thailand’s humanitarian obligations and strengthen social inclusion for long-term stateless residents.
Citizenship for Elderly Stateless Persons in Thailand_Bangkok Global Law