Thailand pilots community-based care for Rohingya children

Thailand is piloting community-based alternatives to immigration detention for Rohingya children in four provinces, including Bangkok, as part of its humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya population, the Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations Office in Geneva said.

The initiative was among the measures highlighted by Thailand at the 77th Session of the Executive Committee of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), held at the United Nations Office in Geneva from 12 to 16 October 2026.

On 12 October, Lt. Gen. Chumphot Nurakkate, director of the Department of Border Affairs at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, delivered Thailand’s statement during the general debate, reaffirming the country’s commitment to working with UNHCR and the international community on burden- and responsibility-sharing amid ongoing humanitarian crises and global funding constraints.

Thailand also highlighted efforts to help Myanmar displaced persons living in temporary shelters become more self-reliant by allowing them to seek employment outside the shelters. A roadmap is in place to facilitate implementation of the policy.

On statelessness, Thailand cited a 2024 Cabinet resolution aimed at expediting permanent residency and nationality acquisition, an extension of the resolution’s implementation period, and the adoption of an action plan to resolve statelessness.

The delegation also reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to ensuring that people in need of protection receive appropriate assistance through the National Screening Mechanism, as well as to further strengthening the mechanism.