Living among Thais is a mixed bag

Millions of people worldwide remain displaced, with Thailand hosting a significant population of asylum seekers who face a precarious existence due to the absence of formal refugee recognition under domestic law. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) estimates that over 136 million people globally will be forcibly displaced or stateless by 2026. In Thailand, around 7,000 asylum seekers from 45 countries reside, but their legal status is ambiguous.

Unlike countries party to the 1951 Refugee Convention, Thailand treats asylum seekers and refugees primarily through immigration regulations, even if they hold UNHCR documentation. This legal limbo means many urban refugees, who often entered Thailand on tourist visas or without formal status, remain in the country illegally after their visas expire. Without recognized legal status, they lack formal rights to work, have restricted access to healthcare and education, and are vulnerable to detention and deportation.

Despite the international principle of non-refoulement protecting refugees from being returned to danger, daily life remains a struggle. Asylum Access Thailand (AAT) reports that urban refugees often live discreetly, depending on community support, informal jobs, and charities for survival. Some asylum seekers, including children, have faced detention, with release often contingent on financial guarantees or resettlement approvals.

Sami, a Pakistani mother from the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, shared her decade-long struggle with uncertainty after fleeing threats to her children's safety. After selling all their possessions to travel to Thailand, hoping for resettlement, the family found themselves in a prolonged waiting period. They have since received refugee recognition from UNHCR, but the journey highlights the deep challenges faced by those seeking refuge.

“

The school called me and said they didn't want my children to come to school and could not promise if someone would hurt them.