Ratchaburi: The Department of Provincial Administration clarifies that the "Myanmar Refugee Card" is 'not a grant of citizenship,' but merely a form of humanitarian regulation. The Department has launched a program to issue identification cards to refugees fleeing conflict from Myanmar, emphasizing that this is a measure to control and verify individuals for security reasons and is not a granting of Thai citizenship.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Narucha Khosasilvilai, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, presided over the Kick Off event for the issuance of identification cards to aliens residing in controlled areas granted special permission to stay in the Kingdom, or those fleeing conflict from Myanmar. The ceremony was attended by Ms. Thitilak Khampa, Governor of Ratchaburi Province, deputy governors, executives from the Department, heads of government agencies, representatives from relevant organizations, district chiefs from all districts of Ratchaburi Province, and Tammy Sharp, representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Thailand.
The Director-General stated that Thailand has been providing humanitarian assistance to refugees fleeing conflict from Myanmar who reside along the border since 1984. The government has granted them temporary residency in the Kingdom. However, to effectively manage this population group, the government needs accurate, clear, and up-to-date registration and identification data. Therefore, regulations concerning the registration and issuance of identification cards to aliens residing in specially permitted controlled areas in the Kingdom, B.E. 2569 (2026), have been issued. This regulation aims to issue identification cards to registered and verified refugees from Myanmar for official transactions, applying for services from government agencies, and in conjunction with official permits.
Mr. Narucha praised and thanked Ratchaburi Province, under the leadership of the Governor, for their cooperation in implementing this policy. He also thanked the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for providing funding for the issuance of identification cards and expressed gratitude to all partner agencies for their collaborative efforts in accordance with humanitarian principles, while maintaining peace, order, and national security. This will lead to effective and sustainable solutions to the problem.
The representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Thailand stated that today's event is crucial for all as it concerns life, resilience, human dignity, and the future. The system is considered key to accessing healthcare, financial services, communication, employment, and life opportunities. It supports safety, enhances independence, freedom of decision-making, and the ability to plan for the future.
The Director-General emphasized that the primary purpose of issuing these identification cards is to enable the government to accurately verify and confirm individuals, knowing who they are, where they reside, and under what conditions they are permitted to stay or work. This will be beneficial for controlling, supervising, monitoring, and enforcing the law, as well as contributing to national security and peace and order. 'I want to clearly state that these identification cards are merely a measure for population registration and management by the state, for the purpose of controlling and verifying individuals on humanitarian principles. They do not grant Thai citizenship and do not create any rights as a Thai citizen,' Mr. Narucha said.
The Director-General, along with a representative from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Thailand and their delegation, visited the temporary shelter for refugees at Ban Tham Hin, Suan Phueng District, Ratchaburi Province. They inspected the services provided for issuing identification cards to aliens residing in controlled areas and those granted special permission to stay in the Kingdom, or refugees from Myanmar, and visited houses and a school within the shelter area.