New Hope for Refugees in Thailand

Despite aid cuts affecting more than 80% of refugee families on the Thailand-Myanmar border last year, there is light at the end of tunnel. Recent indications suggest conditions are changing for the better - God is moving on every level!

After granting permanent residence to almost 500,000 stateless individuals last May, Thailand continued to make changes to its immigration policies. In August 2025, the Thai government approved legal work routes for almost 80,000 long-term refugees. Though on the ground there are still issues to tackle, this garnered international attention and represents an increase in ways Myanmar refugees can contribute to Thai society.

With refugee numbers rising due to the conflict, and donor support for the camps reducing, there's a growing desire to transition to a less dependent way of life for Thailand's refugee communities. Both The Border Consortium and the Karen Refugee Committee indicated that Thai authorities intend to fully close the country's refugee camps within the next several years, working in the meantime to integrate camp populations into local communities and national systems.

Already, local migrant education organisations have been asked to increase their teaching of Thai in schools, and there is talk of some kind of recognition being introduced for migrant schooling. As it stands, refugee and migrant students often face barriers to attending Thai school, not least that they must start again from Grade 1 no matter their age. Recognising migrant school teaching and providing opportunities for Thai language learning opens up a realm of possibilities for migrant and refugee students wanting to give back to their host country.

On this World Refugee Day, join us in praying for the following ways forward:

• Pray for those in smaller refugee camps, worried about being moved into larger ones

• Pray for the most marginalised refugee groups, that they too can access opportunities

• Pray for more opportunities for children and adults to learn the Thai language

• Pray for more accessible pathways to papers for refugees and migrants so that they can contribute to Thailand

• Pray for future discussions to include refugee voices and for refugee-led decision making

• Finally, pray for the safety of all those fleeing conflict, violence and persecution.

You can support Nation to Nation's work among refugees and the migrant population on the Thai/Myanmar border via the link below.

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