The social media world this week has been overwhelmed with Chinese New Year celebrations messages and postings by happy netizens sharing pictures of their Chinese ancestors. The cyber world echoes the pride and joy of the fully integrated Chinese Thais in society. Thailand should feel proud about that.
When other countries in the region are grappling with tensions between citizens of Chinese descent and the native people, this is not the case here.
Chinese New Year here is not only about food, ceremonies and celebrations of kinship, it is also a testimony of how cultural and political inclusion — and equal opportunities for all citizens regardless of ethnic background — contribute to economic vitality and social peace. The question is why this wise policy is now no more.
Many of the parents and grandparents of Chinese Thais were immigrants only a few generations ago. Now the Chinese community takes pride in producing prime ministers and top minds in all fields. Still, millions of ethnic hill people and displaced persons are still treated as "outsiders", robbed of citizenship, accompanying rights, welfare benefits, and life opportunities. Many of them are natives of the land and have been living here for centuries.
In the same week when the Chinese community celebrates its ancestral roots, a group of ethnic Karen has petitioned the government for state respect for their culture, ancestral land rights, and access to other rights and welfare protection.
They are not alone. Other ethnic minorities similarly suffer lack of citizenship because officials could not reach their remote dwellings during census periods or because they themselves failed to register the births of their children.
Due to language problems, many of them were registered as from Myanmar. Worse, many ended up stateless. Without legal status, they are not legally recognised as persons, lack all basic rights, and are vulnerable to all forms of exploitation.
Since many of them live in contested forest zones, they are under threat of arrest, deportation and imprisonment. Subsequently, they are mired in perennial poverty due to a lack of life security and legal status. There is no future for their children.
The problems are manifold. The old citizenship law which recognised everyone born on Thai soil as Thai nationals was abrogated in 1972 at the height of communist scare. The Cold War is over, but the rigid law remains. Without citizenship, the young generations of ethnic minorities do not have equal education and work opportunities. They are barred from leaving their home districts and allowed to do only manual labour for work.
This nationality law needs to be fixed so everyone born in Thailand can fully contribute to society and the economy. But various attempts have been hampered not only by the national security mindset but also ethnic prejudice embedded in the education system.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha told the media about Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's concerns over the plight of marginalised hill peoples who have long resided in the country but still lack life security. On education matters, he said he would order the selection of capable hilltribe youngsters for higher education and work training to bridge the gap.
Such piecemeal measures will do little to solve the hill peoples' plight. They do not need mercy; they need their rights. The government must revamp the nationality law, stop leaving hill people stuck in manual work, allow them freedom of movement, give them access to public health care services and equal opportunity in education and work. Respect their culture. Give them their rights. Only then can they contribute to the economy and society like other proud Thais of Chinese descent.