Thailand
In Thailand, Diakonia supports a variety of local partner organizations with a focus on the rights of minority groups, mainly in the northern parts of the country. Our partners work with ethnic minority groups on issues relating to human rights, democracy, social and economic justice, and gender.
Thailand has a population of around 65 million people, of whom more than 1 million in northern Thailand belong to the country’s 56 ethnic minority groups. Ethnic minorities lack political influence, are under-represented in civil society and are vulnerable to discrimination and exploitation. They have limited access to higher education, employment opportunities and healthcare. Without legal status, they are not allowed to travel freely within Thailand.
The rights of minorities
In Thailand, Diakonia supports local organizations that strive to protect the rights of ethnic minority groups, mainly in the northern parts of Thailand. Our partner organizations work on issues related to human rights, local democracy, social and economic justice, and gender equality. One particular focus of our work is the right of stateless people to obtain legal status and citizenship, as this enables access to other rights and protections. We also work with children’s rights, anti-trafficking, rehabilitation of victims of trafficking, and support for migrants along the border with Myanmar.
Diakonia is an accompanying partner with a local presence and we engage with our implementing partners through dialogue, funding and capacity building. Together with our partner organizations, we work to increase their ability to demand and defend human rights and boost their participation in democratic processes. We also support partner advocacy work on regional and national level.
B.O.L.D. – Policy Initiative in Thailand
The "Building Organisations & Local actors Dialogue (for) – Policy" (B.O.L.D. – Policy) project, funded by the European Union and implemented by Diakonia in collaboration with the Center for Girls Foundation (CFGF) and The Life Skills Development Foundation (TLSDF), aims to empower Thai Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in advocating for inclusive and gender-responsive socioeconomic development and governance, emphasizing the voices of women, youths, and children in policy dialogues.
Read and learn more about the project from the factsheet.
Diakonia’s work makes a difference
- Through cooperation with local partner organizations, Diakonia has driven forward the agenda of ethnic minorities and sustainable development. Significant progress has been made in increasing community participation and in demanding and defending people’s rights and many people have received Thai citizenship or other legal statuses.
- With the support of Diakonia, partners have empowered volunteers and established networks at community level, raising awareness about human rights. The networks also provide legal support to people subject to human rights violations.
- The legal status network was established in 2013. Within it, civil society organizations work to protect people and provide legal support, as well as working on advocacy and raising awareness of human rights, especially those relating to legal status and citizenship rights.
For more information
Bandit Yuenyongtham, Country Director Thailand
E-mail: bandit.yuenyongtham@diakonia.se
Phone: +66 819600461
The Forest as Home for Thailand’s Indigenous People
In northern Thailand, the Karen community of Ban Huai Rai and Huai Ngu is fighting to protect their cultural heritage and secure land rights. With support from Diakonia through the Northern Development Foundation (NDF), they have achieved critical milestones, including the designation of Cultural Protection Zones, blending traditional wisdom with modern advocacy to safeguard their way of life and the forests they call home.
Indigenous Voices Shape Thai Bill
Sakda Saenmi adjusted his traditional Lisu collar as he entered the towering Parliament building in Bangkok, a world away from his misty mountain home. As the Secretary-General of the Council of Indigenous Peoples in Thailand (CIPT), senior staff member of Inter Mountain Peoples’ Education and Culture in Thailand Association (IMPECT), and now a committee member reviewing the draft Indigenous Peoples in Thailand bill, he had made this journey countless times.
Breaking Chains, Building Dreams
Born in a small village in the North of Thailand, Ms. Prakairat Tandee faced the harsh reality of gender inequality from a young age. Through the support of the Center for Girls Foundation (CFGF) and Diakonia, Prakairat was able to break free from the chains of gender stereotypes, becoming a pioneering female leader in her community.
“The training transformed my perspective and actions. Women can do it. Women can create change”, says Prakairat.
Defending Indigenous Rights
As part of Diakonia’s mission to create sustainable change for the most vulnerable people, we support initiatives such as the Strengthening Solidarity and Capacity of Local Leaders to Advance Indigenous Rights in Thailand (SCLAIR).
In partnership with the Indigenous Peoples’ Foundation for Education and Environment (IPF), we have empowered dedicated Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Defenders like Piboon Thuwamonthon to safeguard their community’s rights and traditions.
Reshaping Women's Lives in Chiang Khong
From Seaweed to Strength
Nestled in the heart of the Chiang Khong district in Northern Thailand, a group of women has found an unlikely source of empowerment – collecting freshwater seaweed.
“When I joined the group with other women in my village, I felt confident and empowered”, says Chutikarn Rattanatrai, one of the female Kai collectors.
Advocating for women's and girls' rights
Exclusive interview with Nunnaree Luangmoi
Nunnaree Luangmoi is the Co-founder and Director of the Center for Girls Foundation (CFG), one of the partners of Diakonia in Thailand. Her tireless efforts to provide girls and young women with access to education, training, and support have empowered them to become confident and successful individuals, breaking down barriers and overcoming discrimination.
Fight for land rights in Thailand
Saengduen Tinyot plants rubber trees for a living, but her life changed when she was prosecuted for illegally cultivating land.
Saengduen’s case is an example of how the government uses the green and environmental discourse to justify their unfair policy, says the organization People’s Movement for a Just Society.
The needs for conservation and human rights should not be kept separately.
