Chaninthon Sawanaphakdi. The Thai naturalization of Lahu people in Chiang Rai province . Master's Degree(Rural Development Studies). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2003.
The Thai naturalization of Lahu people in Chiang Rai province
Abstract:
The objective is to study the current phenomenon about the Thai
naturalization of Lahu people, both formally and informally, including the analysis
of results and problems in the procedure, and the government’s management of
nationality problems and status categorization.
The current laws define Lahus as residents or immigrants respectively
depending on the time at which they immigrated. The procedure for being
naturalized consists of: contacting the community leader, preparing documents, and
outlaying expenses. Problems occurring in the procedure from both Lahu and
official sides are: lack of enthusiasm, lack of legal knowledge, expense, and
mistakes in communication. After receiving Thai nationality, the Lahu are under
protection of Thai laws, but they are not given full Thai citizenship.
The solutions for categorizing Lahu status are: re-considering the standard
of Lahu residential qualifications and timing conditions governing residential and
immigrant status, and improving knowledge of citizen rights for Lahu people.
Recommendations concerning naturalization are: giving full Thai citizenship to
successful Lahu applicants and improving the rights of resident alien, and stateless
people, improving the related laws and policies, and finally, improving local
officers’ attitudes toward the hill tribes