Ethnic Protection Act
| Ethnic Protection Act | |
|---|---|
| Parliament of Thailand | |
| |
| Territorial extent | Thailand |
| Considered by | |
| Signed by | Vajiralongkorn |
| Signed | 18 September 2025 |
| Commenced | 19 September 2025 |
| Legislative history | |
| Second reading | 5 February 2025 |
| Third reading | 5 February 2025 |
| First reading | 17 February 2025 |
| Second reading | 8 April 2025 |
| Third reading | 8 April 2025 |
| Status: In force | |
The Act on the Protection and Promotion of Ethnic Ways of Life (Thai: พระราชบัญญัติคุ้มครองและส่งเสริมวิถีชีวิตกลุ่มชาติพันธุ์), commonly known as the Ethnic Protection Act, is a Thai law to recognize and enshrine the rights of ethnic communities in Thailand.[1][2][3][4]
Background
As of May 2025, Thailand has an indigenous population of 6 million.[5] These include over 60 ethnic groups, including Moken, Mlabri, Karen, and Mani.[3] Indigenous peoples in Thailand face discrimination and eviction from ancestral lands as a result of modern conservation laws, and include a large number of stateless individuals.[5][1]
Legislative history
The House of Representatives has approved the bill that the special committee has completed its consideration.[2]
The bill does not include the term "indigenous peoples", which serves as a point of contention for lawmakers.[6][7][8][9]
The Senate has voted to accept the principle and set up a 27-member special committee.[10] The meeting then resolved to approve the bill amendments before sending it to the House of Representatives for further consideration. Later, in the House of Representatives meeting, the meeting resolved to approve the Senate's amendments before submitting it for royal endorsement to be enacted into law.[11][12][13]
On September 18, 2025, the Royal Gazette published the Ethnic Groups Protection and Promotion of Lifestyle Act B.E. 2025, which came into effect the following day, September 19, 2025.[14]
References
- ^ a b "A licence for eviction? Thailand's ethnic protection bill sparks fierce opposition". world.thaipbs.or.th. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ a b "Parliament passes Ethnic Way of Life bill despite opposition from civil society | Prachatai English". prachataienglish.com. 2025-02-14. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ a b Editorial (2024-09-29). "Legal protection for ethnic groups". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ bussarin (2025-02-04). "ส่องรายละเอียด หมวด 5 มาตรา 27 พื้นที่คุ้มครองวิถีชีวิตกลุ่มชาติพันธุ์ สาเหตุที่ประเทศไทยยังคงต้องรอกฎหมายชาติพันธุ์ต่อไป". iLaw (in Thai). Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ a b Wachpanich, Nicha (2025-05-17). "Will Thailand finally recognise its six million indigenous citizens?". HaRDstories. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ Wachpanich, Nicha (2024-09-27). "A battle over words derails ethnic recognition in Thailand". HaRDstories. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Bridge-Building for Ethnic Concerns and Indigenous Identity". nationthailand. 2025-05-19. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Parliament removes "indigenous" from Ethnic Way of Life bill | Prachatai English". prachataienglish.com. 2025-01-22. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ Muntarbhorn, Vitit (2025-05-08). "Bridge-building for ethnic concerns". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "สว. รับหลักการ 'กม.ชาติพันธุ์' ตั้ง กมธ.ถกร่างฯ ใน 30 วัน" [The Senate accepts the principle of the 'Ethnicity Act', establishing a committee to discuss the draft within 30 days]. theactive. 17 February 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "สภาฯ เห็นชอบร่างกฎหมายคุ้มครองกลุ่มชาติพันธุ์ ปลดล็อกข้อจำกัดสิทธิที่อยู่ทำกิน" [The House of Representatives approves the draft law to protect ethnic groups, lifting restrictions on their right to live and farm]. Thai Post. 6 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
- ^ "Final Hurdle cleared for Thailand's first law to protect ethnic groups' way of life". nationthailand. 2025-08-06. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
- ^ Wachpanich, Nicha (2025-08-06). "Thailand passes its first law to protect ethnic groups". HaRDstories. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
- ^ "มีพระบรมราชโองการโปรดเกล้าฯ พ.ร.บ.คุ้มครองกลุ่มชาติพันธุ์ ใช้บังคับ 19 ก.ย. 68" [The Royal Decree on the Protection of Ethnic Groups was issued, effective September 19, 2025]. Thai Rath. 18 September 2025. Retrieved 19 September 2025.