Minister of Foreign Affairs confirms that 19 foreign children will not be sent back to their country of origin.

March 26, 2024 – At Government House, Mr. Warawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security (Ministry of Human Security), spoke about the current news attacking the MSDHS regarding the case of Delivering 19 foreign children who were staying in children’s homes in Chiang Rai province without education which may be sent back to the country of origin, that both the Ministry of Primary Education and the Thai government are contracting parties regarding the protection of children’s rights which has been a contractual agreement for more than 30 years

Therefore, repatriation to the country of origin is not possible. The current main duty of the Ministry of Human Rights must be to take care of welfare. Both the body and mind of the child Including education. So I’m not sure. What is the intent of the source of the news?

Mr. Warawut further said that there must be clarification on 2 issues: 1. Issues related to the Thai-Myanmar border. It is considered a delicate matter. Before anyone gives news It is wise to be careful. Because it may affect the relationship of the two countries. Please don’t share news just for fun or to create a stir.

In addition, the news is considered to lower the morale of the workers. Because throughout the past several decades, the MSDHS has worked in a secretive manner and confirms that officials from the MSDHS have continually sent reports to look at, emphasizing that there is no issue of sending alien children back to their country of origin. It was only to be taken to the Chiang Rai Province Shelter.

By all these events It arose from the case of officials from the Ministry of Public Health, Lopburi Province. Suspicion arose about a group of children who were ordained as novices at a temple. and money was raised Sending this group of children Therefore, it was rushed to send the said group of children to Chiang Rai Province. And when the province has already inspected It was found that such groups of children It was not under the care of the Ministry of Secondary Education from the beginning, but was under the care of a group of the private sector.

Mr. Warawut said that he personally would like to thank the private sector for taking care of this group of children. But I would like to clarify that The private sector should know itself well. How much power do you have to take care of this group of children? If you don’t have authority, you can contact the Ministry of Secondary Education. If you don’t get cooperation, you can report it directly to the private sector. He emphasized that he will take the utmost action.

As for the question of how the Ministry of Human Rights will take care of these 19 foreign children so that they can receive citizenship, Mr. Warawut said that the Ministry of Human Rights does not have the authority to grant citizenship. only to take care of welfare matters and living according to human rights principles

Asked whether there would be a deportation to a third country or not, Mr. Warawut said that he initially knew that Such group of children Not a victim of a human trafficking crime organization Therefore, the method of implementation of the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) cannot be used to help victims. Therefore, relevant agencies must continue to deal with this group of children.