Living in the time of Trump, this is feel good story of the week even if the final paragraph is a downer.

From Thai PBS World

The Thai cabinet decided today to grant Thai citizenship to about 483,000 migrants who have been living in Thailand since 1984 and children born in Thailand to parents in ethnic minority groups.

Spokesman for the prime minister’s office, Jirayu Huangsap, said today that, since these documented migrant workers have been working in Thailand for a long time, the cabinet feels that it is appropriate to grant them Thai citizenship, so they can travel freely and still beneficially contribute to the development of the Thai economy.

He said that the Ministry of Interior will issue regulations within 60 days for the implementation of today’s cabinet decision.

The first group to benefit from the decision comprises about 120,000 migrants who have lived and worked in Thailand between 1984 and 1999. 

The second group comprises 215,000 migrants living in the country between 2005 and 2011.

The third group comprises about 29,000 children born to ethnic minority parents in Thailand and the fourth group comprises about 113,000 children born to parents who are members of an undocumented minority.

Chirayu noted, however, that it could take as long as 44 years to process all those applications for Thai citizenship.

1 hour ago, reader said:

Chirayu noted, however, that it could take as long as 44 years to process all those applications for Thai citizenship.

Indeed not very uplifting  but at least there's hope for all those children living in legal limbo

4 hours ago, vinapu said:

Indeed not very uplifting  but at least there's hope for all those children living in legal limbo

Would be beneficial if they are still alive..........., anyway it's a step in the right direction

11 hours ago, reader said:

Living in the time of Trump, this is feel good story of the week even if the final paragraph is a downer.

From Thai PBS World

The Thai cabinet decided today to grant Thai citizenship to about 483,000 migrants who have been living in Thailand since 1984 and children born in Thailand to parents in ethnic minority groups.

Spokesman for the prime minister’s office, Jirayu Huangsap, said today that, since these documented migrant workers have been working in Thailand for a long time, the cabinet feels that it is appropriate to grant them Thai citizenship, so they can travel freely and still beneficially contribute to the development of the Thai economy.

He said that the Ministry of Interior will issue regulations within 60 days for the implementation of today’s cabinet decision.

The first group to benefit from the decision comprises about 120,000 migrants who have lived and worked in Thailand between 1984 and 1999. 

The second group comprises 215,000 migrants living in the country between 2005 and 2011.

The third group comprises about 29,000 children born to ethnic minority parents in Thailand and the fourth group comprises about 113,000 children born to parents who are members of an undocumented minority.

Chirayu noted, however, that it could take as long as 44 years to process all those applications for Thai citizenship.

I wonder how they got to the figure of 44 years? Why not 40, or 45?

1 hour ago, Keithambrose said:

I wonder how they got to the figure of 44 years? Why not 40, or 45?

two explanation are possible :

one is that they estimate they can process about 11000 cases per year 

second , much more probable  is that it's another case of 87.64 % statistics being made on the spot

 

8 hours ago, vinapu said:

two explanation are possible :

one is that they estimate they can process about 11000 cases per year 

second , much more probable  is that it's another case of 87.64 % statistics being made on the spot

 

I thought it might be 'think of a number and double it'!