By Thai Newsroom Reporters
FIFTY YOUNG ETHNIC villagers in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province have been naturalized and given ID cards as Thai nationals.
Chief district officer of Mae Sai Prasong Onla confirmed today (June 13) all the 50 youngsters were born in Thai territory to parents of varied ethnic groups, most of whom had migrated across the border to Mae Sai district from Shan state in Myanmar.
The naturalized youngsters, 39 of whom being under 18 years old, have gone to schools in Chiang Rai alongside Thai children and learned the Thai language.
The provincial governor handed them the ID cards as Thai nationals at the district office yesterday.
Many more who were born in Mae Sai and other northern border districts to ethnic villagers are expected to follow suit in the future, according to the chief district officer.
CAPTION:
Top: A hill tribe parade in Chiang Rai. Photo: John Berns (CC BY 2.0)
