Stateless Thai highland students' educational rights and the contemporary Thai state's attitude to 'difference'

Abstract

This research examines the position of Thai highland students without citizenship in the contemporary education environment; and the manner in which the Thai state relates to the group, which it has viewed as 'different'. The position of the stateless highland students is detailed with an overview of the place that the highlanders have traditionally occupied within the state; and through exploration of a 2005 Cabinet Resolution and subsequent regulation, promising all resident students the right to formal education services: regardless of their legal status. A collection of advocacy groups and education providers were interviewed in Chiang Rai and Bangkok, Thailand, from January to February 2007. The interview results have been analysed through the lens of the Rights Based Approach, from a critical realist perspective. These findings offer insight into the Thai state's recognition of stateless highlanders' rights; and the state's attitude towards this group. Thus, in many ways the contemporary Thai state appears to have moved towards employing a more inclusive attitude in their dealings with these students. However, strategies of exclusion and control do continue to influence the way in which the Thai state relates to the group. These varying and seemingly contradictory attitudes of the Thai state are a product of both the nature of the state and the Thai context. Aspects such as a lack of inter-ministerial co-operation, as well as security considerations have been discussed in the analysis. Yet, if the rights of stateless highland students are to be realised, the state needs to move to address the inconsistencies and shortcomings of Regulation 2548.