ANALYZING THE PROBLEM OF ACCESS TO RIGHTS FOR STATELESS AND NATIONALITYLESS PEOPLE

Abstract

This article presents a study on access to rights of stateless people in Thailand, which is an issue that clearly reflects the structural inequality of society, especially in the case of novice monks in the northern region, many of whom are from ethnic groups that do not have proper civil registration status, resulting in them not being able to fully access basic human rights such as education, healthcare, and freedom of movement. Although Buddhism in Thailand plays a role in promoting social opportunities for the disadvantaged, legal restrictions are a significant obstacle to developing the life opportunities of these novice monks. This article analyzes the causes of the problem using the framework of international human rights law and Thai government policies, and proposes solutions, such as reforming the nationality law, developing an effective identity verification process, and promoting the role of temples as a social assistance mechanism, so that novice monks and stateless people can access their rights equally and with full human dignity.