In a dramatic shift aimed at addressing a long-standing humanitarian crisis, the Thai government has announced an expedited process for granting citizenship to stateless individuals, pledging to complete applications within just five days. This urgent initiative, revealed by Prime Minister in a surprise social media announcement, comes as thousands of stateless people along the northern border with Myanmar, many of whom have lived without proper documentation for decades, flock to district offices in hopes of finally securing their rights.

The scene in Mae Sai is intense, with the local office overwhelmed by applicants from various ethnic tribes, some of whom have endured a lifetime of uncertainty. “It would be a really good thing if I can get it so that I can travel, get health care, and buy a house,” one hopeful individual expressed. Yet, skepticism looms; another elderly applicant lamented, “I might well die before I get it,” highlighting the urgency and desperation felt by many.

Previously, the citizenship application process took an agonizing 270 days, but local officials now report they are ready to tackle it in just five, provided all paperwork is in order. This newfound efficiency is crucial as approximately 480,000 people across Thailand still await their rights, trapped in a limbo that denies them basic freedoms of movement and access to essential services.

The government’s swift response echoes a past incident in 2018 when four stateless boys were granted citizenship after their harrowing rescue from a cave, underscoring the urgency of the situation. As these changes unfold, the fate of countless lives hangs in the balance, with many determined to shed the label of “second-class citizens” in their own homeland. The world watches as Thailand confronts this pressing issue, with the hope that promises made will lead to tangible change.