2023.11.08 FCCT Thailand's new national screening mechanism and the future of refugee protection

2023.11.08 FCCT Thailand's new national screening mechanism and the future of refugee protection

For decades, Thailand has hosted refugees from neighbouring countries. More than 90,000 Burmese refugees live in camps along the Thai-Myanmar border. There are also some 5,000 so-called “urban refugees” who have fled to Bangkok from further afield, including South Asia, the Middle East, China and Africa.

Thailand still has not ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention.

In 2019, then-prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha signed off on a “National Screening Mechanism” to change how Thailand deals with the challenges of protecting asylum seekers and refugees.

The Royal Thai Police and Ministry of Interior will run the scheme, screen applicants, and determine who will be a “protected person” and legally allowed to stay in Thailand. Those denied will face deportation.

The system started in late September, but there are many unanswered questions and there has not been a rush of applicants.

So, what is the future for asylum seekers and refugees in Thailand under the new system?

Hear from our expert panel:
Patrick Phongsathorn, senior advocacy specialist, Fortify Rights.
Prima Sukmanop, legal officer, Asylum Access Thailand (AAT), and representative, Coalition for the Rights of Refugees and Stateless Persons (CRSP).
Representative of the Royal Thai Government (to be confirmed).
Representative of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (to be confirmed).
Moderator: Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watch Asia deputy director and FCCT board member.