Bangkok: Former Prime Minister Settha Thavisin announced on Facebook that a significant promise made to ethnic communities in Chiang Rai has been fulfilled.
According to Thai News Agency, Settha expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Paethongtarn Ing Shinawatra for prioritizing the rights of ethnic groups to live legally in Thailand.
Settha shared that on July 14, 2024, he promised ethnic communities in Chiang Rai that they would be able to live with equality and legality by simplifying the process of verifying nationality and applying for permanent residence. Previously, this process took over a hundred days, but Settha pledged to reduce it to just five days. On June 30, the promise was realized after nearly a year of consideration by the security sector and cabinet.
The fulfillment of this promise allows ethnic communities to live legally in Thailand, granting their children access to Thai nationality, education, and welfare. Working-age individuals will also gain stability and constitutional rights as Thai citizens, contributing to the country's development. Settha thanked Prime Minister Paethongtarn, Dr. Prommin, and others involved in making this achievement possible, expressing hope to visit Chiang Rai again to witness the promise in action.