The Move Forward Party (MFP) and Fair Party are calling for the formation of a new House sub-committee to explore new ways to handle refugees living in temporary shelters across Mae Hong Son, Tak, Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi.
The two parties have jointly filed a motion seeking a formal debate in the House of Representatives on the matter, said MFP list-MP Manop Keereepuwadol yesterday.
The House sub-committee should be led by human rights experts who would initiate a study to determine the best course of action for these refugees, said Mr Manop.
There are around 90,000 refugees across Thailand, many of whom have been living in temporary shelters in the four provinces since 1985, he said.
Aside from new measures to handle problems associated with these refugees at the national level, the sub-committee will also work with the refugees' countries of origin, he said.
As Thailand has not signed any international treaties on refugees, these refugees will only be recognised as temporary residents, regardless of how long they have been living in this country, said Mr Manop.
Voluntary return to their country of origin appears to be the best approach, as negotiating permanent resettlement in another country is a complex process, said Fair list-MP Kannavee Suebsang.
In another development, Pheu Thai MPs have signed a petition seeking to allow civilians and holders of political positions affected by misconduct by a state agency to directly sue the agency concerned for compensation.
If the amendment passes, then those affected by a state agency's misconduct will not have to wait for the Office of the Attorney General to act on their behalf to obtain compensation, said Pheu Thai secretary-general Chusak Sirinil.