Mr. Chairman,
        Thailand fully supports the UNHCR’s greater involvement in  the cluster approach, especially in providing humanitarian assistance for internally displaced persons (IDPs). As for the issue of financial resources for IDPs, we look forward to having appropriate consultations with the UNHCR and interested members. We hope that development of the cluster approach is based on a cost effective and well-focused strategy, significantly contributing to the overall improvement of resource management. My delegation, therefore, wishes to encourage UNHCR and other agencies involved to further strengthen their collaborative efforts in carrying out this strategy.

          Since  the  56th  Executive  Committee  Meeting  in  October  last year, there have been many activities undertaken in all regions of the world to forge international efforts in addressing the challenges of migration. Indeed, there is a growing realization that broader migratory movements and forced displacement intersect, and that a comprehensive response is required to deal with this complex nature of migration-asylum nexus. Thailand, therefore, applauds the UNHCR’s introduction of the 10-Point Plan of Action to Address Mixed Migratory Movement and wishes to reiterate that the Plan of Action should be implemented in a balanced manner mindful of some important considerations, such as legitimate concerns of host countries and the principle of international burden-sharing, to ensure good co-operation of all parties concerned and successful outcomes.

         The complexity of today’s migration flows is  especially  true  for the Asia-Pacific region as a result of social and economic disparities as well as the dynamics of regional development. Countries in the region have become countries of origin, transit and destination, and sometimes all in one. The key challenge is to develop a response which combines a coherent approach to the management of migration with the effective protection of refugees. In some cases, promoting regular and legal channels of migration, and regularizing irregular migration population could have two-fold effects, that is, while meeting labour needs of host countries, it could be a means of reducing international protection needs for the would-be persons of concern. In this connection, we are of the view that regional consultative processes can play an important role to promote common understanding and strengthen capacity of countries in their respective regions to effectively address issues of refugees and migration through the exchange of views and good practices. It is therefore very important that the UNHCR remains committed to supporting the work of the regional consultative processes, especially by offering its expertise and services as a solutions-focused actor.

          On Thailand’s part, we have also made serious efforts to address the  problem  of legal status and right to identity of inhabitants. The Regulation on the Survey and Registration of Persons without Registrar Status was issued in 2005 with the aim of registering all births, deaths, and changes of domiciles, including issuing documents to prove the person’ s identity. Moreover, in February this year, we have acceded to the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflicts of the Convention of the Rights of the Child. These developments will ensure that every inhabitant in Thailand, including children born of illegal immigrants and displaced persons residing in the temporary shelter areas, is registered at birth, regardless of his or her nationality and status.

Mr. Chairman,
          Thailand has been heartened by the visit of the   High Commissioner to our country in late August this year. The visit has not only added a considerable value to more than three decades of already constructive and close co-operation between Thailand and the UNHCR but has also started a new phase in co-operation between both sides. We are particularly pleased that the High Commissioner came to our country and saw with his own eyes many significant developments in our efforts to improve the plight of Myanmar displaced persons in protracted situations, to name but a few, access to employment opportunities, improvement of education, and effective functioning of the national status determination mechanism, namely, the Provincial Admission Boards. He was also told of Thailand’s commitments to further develop protection measures for Myanmar displaced persons, such as  integration of Myanmar displaced persons who are HIV/AIDS infected into the national health care system and the issuance of 13-digit identity cards in line with the national strategy on the status and rights of individuals.

           Thailand is more open to the use of resettlement as a durable solution for Myanmar displaced persons even though voluntary repatriation continues to be the preferred solution. We wish to express our sincere appreciation for some resettlement countries which have demonstrated their spirit of burden-sharing with Thailand, particularly the United States, Canada, and Australia.

          In this connection, we appreciate the visit to Thailand of Ambassador Ellen Sauerbrey, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration. The visit of Ambassador Sauerbrey has indeed strengthened the already excellent relations and co-operation which Thailand has had with the United States.

Mr. Chairman,
           This past year has also brought about several new challenges to Thailand. We have faced complex problems regarding the illegal entry and presence of an increasing number of specific groups of illegal immigrants in our territory. It has become more obvious that Thailand has apparently been used as a transit route to third countries for them. We are also at risk of being a transit point for syndicates involved in the smuggling and trafficking of human beings. While consistently adhering to the humanitarian tradition and the principle of non-refoulement for those in real need of international protection, we nevertheless need to address our security concerns and wish to call on all parties concerned to look at the burden Thailand has to bear and consider a medium-term or long-term solution to address the problem.

Thank you,