“Migrants Are People: No Discrimination Against Migrants”

On 21 December 2025, the Mekong Migration Network (MMN), in collaboration with MAP Foundation, the Human Rights and Development Foundation (HRDF), EMPOWER Foundation, and the Northern Labour Network, organised an International Migrants Day event at the Faculty of Law, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. The event was attended by approximately 177 participants, including students, migrant workers from Myanmar, academics, and representatives from civil society organisations.

The activity took place amid growing xenophobia and discriminatory narratives towards migrants in Thailand. It aimed to create a safe space for dialogue and reflection, reaffirming that migrants are human beings and an essential part of Thai society.

The programme opened with a short documentary portraying the everyday realities of migrant workers and highlighting challenges related to legal documentation, wage exploitation, and discrimination. This was followed by a panel discussion featuring speakers from civil society organisations, migrant communities, and academia.

A representative from civil society organisations highlighted long standing structural problems within Thailand’s labour registration system, describing it as complex, costly, and unclear. Despite repeated policy reforms over the past two decades, migrant workers continue to face barriers that restrict their access to basic rights in daily life. The representative stated:

“For more than twenty years, the labour registration system has failed to deliver meaningful change. Migrant workers are still excluded from basic services because of difficulties in identity verification.”

A male migrant worker from Myanmar, currently living and working in Chiang Mai in the entertainment sector, shared reflections on living as a “foreigner” in Thai society. He noted persistent discrimination and fear directed towards migrants. The discussion emphasised the importance of solidarity within migrant communities and observed that exclusion is increasingly experienced in urban spaces and everyday interactions. He stated:

“Today, the boundaries of difference are no longer at the border. They appear in our daily lives.”

From an academic perspective, one speaker examined how social prejudice is reinforced through language, particularly the distinction between documented and undocumented migrant workers. While such labels persist, migrant workers continue to play a vital role in driving Thailand’s economy, especially as Thai businesses increasingly seek to engage with international networks that prioritise transparency and the protection of labour rights. The speaker emphasised the responsibility of the private sector to uphold labour rights and social protection, stating:

“Respecting labour rights is not a burden. It is a pathway to survival for businesses.”

A representative from a migrant support organisation in Chiang Rai shared examples of migrant led contributions, including humanitarian assistance during times of crisis in Thailand and neighbouring countries, such as flooding in southern Thailand and responses to earthquakes. These experiences highlighted strong social and cultural connections, as well as the solidarity and compassion demonstrated by migrant communities. They reaffirmed that migrants are not others, but part of the same social fabric and people who can be relied upon and stand together in times of crisis.

The discussion concluded with a shared call to expand public dialogue on migration, strengthen connections between migrant and Thai communities, engage the private sector in labour protection, and utilise social media to counter discrimination.

At the conclusion of the event, representatives of the Northern Labour Network presented a set of demands calling on the government to adopt a long term, human rights-based policy framework for migrant labour management, ensure equal access to documentation and social protection for all workers, uphold labour freedoms, and reaffirm that migrant workers are people with dignity. These principles form a vital foundation for Thailand’s sustainable economic and social development.

The International Migrants Day 2025 event reaffirmed that respecting migrants’ rights and dignity is fundamental to building an inclusive and sustainable society.