DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A stateless person is “a person who is not considered as a national by any State under the operation of its law.” There are more than half a million people registered as stateless in Thailand. This is one of the largest in the world. However, there are also a large number of people who are unregistered as stateless and face challenges in accessing their basic rights to education, health care and employment.
Stateless Children in Thailand
Registered stateless persons in Thailand consist of members from ethnic minority groups in highland areas, nomadic and Indigenous groups, descendants of former Thai nationals who had lost Thai nationality due to border demarcation or people whose ancestors left neighboring countries due to conflict and persecution.
As of December 2021, there are currently 153,574 registered stateless children in Thailand. There is the presence of numerous undocumented migrant children and unregistered stateless children in Thailand. While there is no concrete number, there are approximately not less than 100,000 children residing in Thailand, according to the 2024 U.N. document.
Children of the Forest Foundation
The Children of the Forest Foundation (COF) plays a very critical role in advocating for stateless children in Thailand. Founded in 2005, COF recognizes the many years of armed conflict, economic hardship and repression faced by the Karen and Mon families in Burma, which have led them to flee to neighboring areas such as Sangkhlaburi in Thailand. These stateless migrant families live in conditions of poverty and are subject to exploitative work practices. The children become abandoned, abused, exploited for cheap labor and become victims of child trafficking.
Due to the parents being undocumented migrants, the children do not become eligible for free or state-subsidized health are. Accessing the Thai education system also proves to be a challenge for these stateless children in Thailand, according to COF.
Initially, a small school project that started in 2001 has now evolved into the COF providing protection, education, healthcare and other opportunities to the migrant Karen and Mon children present in Sangkhlaburi. The NGO continues to help break the cycle of disadvantage and poverty.
Providing Education
COF equips these children with the necessary language skills to ensure a smooth transition into the Thai educational system. There are youth development and vocational training opportunities offered to these children. COF provides the children with a safe pathway to gain formal Thai identification which allows them to access local education and health care services, according to its website.
COF has uplifted the position of more than 100 children by assisting them through the completion of high school, and access to vocational college or university. These children have also acquired full Thai citizenship.
The EMA Foundation, established in 1958, is an active donor for COF. The EMA Foundation has been instrumental in supporting COF’s medical and social work programs since 2010. It has provided staffing support, web design, managing social media campaigns and contributed to creating short films to highlight the mission and programs of COF.
Inspirational Outcomes by COF
The education programs of COF support children of all ages, older youth and young adults re-entering education. COF offers financial support for qualified graduates from the educational programs to pursue higher studies. In 2008, COF witnessed a monumental event. The COF schools obtained official registration as an official Thai elementary school under the Thai Ministry of Education.
The Children of the Forest Elementary School has 200 children in attendance. This certified Thai government satellite school does not require school fees, and provides bus services and meals. It provides innovative teaching methods and Thai language classes keeping in mind non-Thai speakers, according to its website.
COF provides Kosanor education, a pared-down Thai government curriculum to individuals who are late-starters in education. Furthermore, COF supports three community-run Karen and Mon Schools in remote jungle locations through infrastructure development, healthcare, school materials and teacher salaries.
More than 500 children have graduated from COF’s Free School For Stateless Children. COF has supported 42 of these children to pursue higher education programs, 13 children graduated with university degrees and four children with technical college certificates, according to the data from its website.
Sharing the Experience
The Borgen Project spoke with Tim McQuaid, President of Children of the Forest, USA. Tim McQuaid highlights the most important program of COF is education. This allows stateless children in Thailand a chance to gain Thai papers and citizenship.
The Borgen Project also had the opportunity to speak with Tracy Tran, Partner Relationship Manager at the EMA Foundation. Tracy draws attention to the education program which distinctly addresses poverty. Tracy reiterates the importance of the Children of the Forest Foundation education program introducing stateless children to the Thai education system. This allows the students to apply for and obtain Thai identification thereby giving them access to education and healthcare.
Tracy Tran brings to light another positive initiative of COF. The outreach teams of COF are well-connected with the surrounding communities. This allows COF to have access to information to understand the needs of the people and serve them accordingly. This was particularly useful during COVID-19 which required them to amplify their healthcare program to ensure the safety of the individuals.
Empowering Stateless Children in Thailand
In Thailand, the problem of childhood statelessness is still prevalent. Efforts by inspiring organizations such as COF provide a platform for these stateless children in Thailand to access basic rights, pursue their dreams and live to their fullest potential. Let us continue to empower vulnerable stateless children to build a safe and enriching future.
– Caren Thomas
Caren is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and focuses on Good News and Technology Solutions for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Unsplash