Our Refugee Context FAQ

Refugee Context

1. What is the global number of forcibly displaced people?

As of 2024, there were 123.2 million forcibly displaced people globally, including asylum seekers, refugees, internally displaced people, and stateless people. 

2. Why do refugees flee their home countries?

Refugees are forced to leave their own country due to war, violence, or persecution to seek safety in another country.

3. Where do refugees go?

Refugees usually go to the nearest safe country. Even though we often hear about refugees going to Western countries, most are actually hosted by low-income or neighboring countries. Today, most refugees come from Venezuela, Syria, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Sudan. Major host countries include Turkey, Iran, Colombia, and Uganda, along with many countries in Africa and Asia.

4. Refugees in Southeast Asia.

In Southeast Asia, the countries hosting the largest numbers of forcibly displaced people registered with UNHCR are Malaysia (211,360), Thailand (86,000), and Indonesia (12,295). Only Cambodia, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste have signed the 1951 Refugee Convention in the region. Advocacy, collaboration, and strong grassroots support are essential for meeting refugees' basic needs and safeguarding their rights.

5. Refugee Rights in Thailand.

Thailand is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and does not legally recognize refugees. Because of this, refugees have no legal status and face restrictions on work, movement, and access to basic services. Support from UNHCR, NGOs, churches, and community groups help refugees meet their basic needs and navigate daily challenges.

6. How many refugees are there in Bangkok?

There are over 6,000 refugees and asylum seekers registered with UNHCR in Bangkok, representing 46 countries. Some refugees have not registered with UNHCR yet, so the real number is higher. Refugees in Bangkok come from countries such as Afghanistan, Cambodia, China, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, and Vietnam.

7. UNHCR in Thailand.

UNHCR operates under an agreement with the Thai government to register asylum seekers, conduct refugees status determination, and facilitate resettlement. UNHCR status does not give asylum seekers or refugees legal protection, but it helps reduce the risk of deportation and supports resettlement pathways.

8. Why do refugees come to Thailand? 

Refugees come to Thailand because they need a quick way to reach safety. Thailand is easy to enter with a tourist visa, has a UNHCR office to apply for resettlement, access to livelihood opportunities, and Bangkok is diverse and more affordable than many other cities.

9. How long does it take for refugees in Thailand to resettle?

There is no fixed timeline. Resettlement usually takes many years, and for some refugees it may never happen. After registering with UNHCR, refugees must wait for interviews, security checks, and decisions from resettlement countries. The process often takes 5–10 years or longer, depending on the case, country availability, and global policies. Many refugees live in Thailand for years with uncertainty while they wait.

10. Why are refugees in Thailand at risk of arrest?

Without legal status, refugees are considered in violation of the Immigration Act for illegal entry or overstaying. This means they can be arrested, detained in Immigration Detention Centers (IDC), fined, or deported (though deportation of refugees is rare). Arrests often increase during national holidays, year-end periods, political transitions, and anti-trafficking crackdowns.

11. What happens when a refugee is arrested?

They may first be taken to a police station and later transferred to the Immigration Detention Center (IDC). Release may occur through bail (if eligible), resettlement, or voluntary return.

12. What is the National Screening Mechanism (NSM)?

The NSM is Thailand’s process for identifying people who cannot safely return to their home country. Approved in 2019 and rolled out in September 2023, it is a government system that decides who qualifies as a “protected person.” Because Thailand does not legally recognize refugees, the NSM is meant to offer limited protection to people who cannot return to their home country. The NSM is a government screening system that follows Thai Immigration law. People considered “protected persons” have limited access to education and medical services.

The NSM does not:

• provide legal immigration status or refugee status. Refugees still need to submit an asylum application to UNHCR

• protect from detention under immigration laws

• give the right to work

The NSM is a step toward protection, but it does not yet provide the full rights or safety that refugees need.

13. How do refugees survive without legal status?

Most rely on community support, informal work, NGOs, and churches. Some receive limited assistance from UNHCR or local organizations.

14. What are living conditions like for refugees in Bangkok?

Conditions vary, but refugees face challenges such as overcrowded housing, limited income, high medical bills, and fear of arrest. Most live in poverty and rely on community networks for survival.

15. What medical support is available for refugees?

Medical services are a great need for urban refugees. NGOs, churches, and community groups help fill medical gaps as resources allow.

16. How do refugees access mental health support?

Some NGOs, churches, and networks provide counseling, peer groups, and trauma-informed support. 

17. Can refugees send their children to Thai schools?

Yes. Thailand is a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which allows all children, regardless of immigration status, to access education. In practice, schools may still require documents, so access can vary. Some families do a great job in advocating for their children. Others have friends help. Children under 10 years of age can learn Thai and enroll into local schools. This is a great way for families to integrate into local communities and it opens doors to opportunities. 

18. How does UNHCR resettlement work?

UNHCR resettlement begins when an asylum seeker arrives in Thailand and applies for Person of Concern (POC) status. POC status is not recognized by Thai Immigration and does not provide legal protection. If an application is rejected, there is one appeal. After that, a person can reapply if there is a major change in their situation. If UNHCR recognizes a family as refugees, their case may be submitted to a resettlement country such as the U.S., Canada, Australia, etc. Because resettlement places are limited, the process often takes many years. Once submitted, the resettlement country conducts interviews, background checks, and security screenings, and the timeline depends on that country.

19. What is the difference between an asylum seeker and a refugee?

An asylum seeker is a person who has left their country and is asking for protection in another country but has not yet been granted refugee status. A refugee is a person who has been forced to flee their country because of war, violence, or persecution and has crossed an international border to find safety. They have been formally recognized as a refugee by UNHCR or by the host country.

20. Why does resettlement take so long?

Resettlement takes a long time because countries have limited quotas, and every case must go through security screenings, documentation checks, and multiple interviews. There are also large backlogs, and fewer countries now accept refugees, which increases delays. With the growing number of refugees worldwide due to war and conflict, the resettlement process has become even slower and more competitive.

21. Can refugees return to their home country (voluntary return)?

Most refugees cannot be repatriated because returning home would put them in danger. However, some families, such as certain cases from Pakistan, may be able to return safely if conditions allow.

22. What options do families have in addition to UNHCR resettlement?

Refugees may apply for private sponsorship in countries that offer such programs, consider voluntary return (repatriation) if their home country becomes safe, or remain in the host country though staying without legal status is very challenging.

23. What happens when a refugee is detained?

If a refugee is arrested, they are often taken to the local police station first. At the police station, there is usually room for advocacy. If the refugee has an open UNHCR case, they can call the number on their UNHCR card. UNHCR will advocate for release. This doesn’t guarantee release, but it can help. Refugees with closed UNHCR cases have had a local friend talk to the police and in some cases this has led to release. It depends on the police.

24. What options do refugees have once they are in detention?

Once a refugee is moved from the police station to the Immigration Detention Center (IDC), the options become more limited. Refugees cannot leave unless one of the following applies:

1. Bail (if available):
   Not everyone is eligible for bail. When it is an option, the refugee needs a Thai national to act as a guarantor and request bail on their behalf. The bail bond is usually 20,000 baht or 50,000 baht, depending on the case. Bail approval is decided by immigration officials and is not guaranteed.

2. Resettlement:
   If a refugee is accepted for resettlement by another country, they may be released directly to complete travel processing. This is not a quick option and depends on the refugee’s UNHCR case.

3. Voluntary Return:
   Some nationalities may choose to return to their home country if it is safe for them. Families must cover the cost of travel. This is not an option for most refugees, but some Pakistani families have been able to return safely.

25. What challenges do refugees face in Thailand?

Thailand is not a signatory to the Refugee Convention, so refugees have no legal status, cannot work legally, and face barriers to healthcare, education, and stable housing. Many wait years for UNHCR processing or resettlement. Despite these challenges, refugees continue to build community, develop skills, and show incredible courage and resilience.

26. Are urban refugees the same as refugees in camps?

Bangkok does not have refugee camps. Urban refugees live independently in the city without legal protection. There are 9 refugee camps in the Thai-Myanmar border. Refugees in the camps face other challenges and have access to other support systems.

27.What is the role of churches and community groups?

Churches, NGOs, and grassroots groups play a major role in providing education, food, friendship, community, legal support, and advocacy because formal protections are limited.