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Thai citizenship plan for 8,000 Bur



Subject: Thai citizenship plan for 8,000 Burmese approved 

28 May 1997 

Thai citizenship plan for 8,000 Burmese approved 

THE Cabinet yesterday approved the granting of Thai citizenship to nearly 
8,000 Burmese who entered Thailand before March 9, 1976, Prime Minister 
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh said. 

Chavalit said citizenship was approved for some Burmese presently living in 
Tak, Prachuab Khiri Khan, Chumpon and Ranong provinces. 

Those entitled to apply for citizenship include 4,614 displaced Burmese who 
were born in Thailand but migrated to Burma. They later escaped the oppression 
of minorities there and are now living in Tak province. 

Another 3,208 people are considered Thai but their families lived in areas 
given to Burma when it was still a British colony. They now reside in Prachuab 
Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Ranong provinces, Chavalit said. 

The premier was speaking after chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting. 

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Snoh Thienthong said he was interested in how 
many Thais might have been displaced after the land they were living on was 
given to Burma. 

Snoh dismissed speculation that some Burmese who came to Thailand to work 
might exploit the scheme, saying he had instructed authorities to strictly 
follow regulations in considering the applications for citizenship. 

The Nation