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Published on December 22, 2007

Deputy Prime Minister Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who presided over a meeting yesterday of the NSC's committee for problems related to people's status and rights, said the committee agreed to grant permanent residency to these people who had migrated from neighbouring countries since 1976.

The 13,000 stateless people of Thai descent include displaced Burmese, Thai-descent refugees from Cambodia's Kong Island and Laotian mountain people.

Sonthi said the proposal would be put to the Cabinet and, if approved, would be implemented by the end of 2009.

He said the NSC committee agreed these stateless people should be granted legal status to give them equity and better life opportunities, as well as to tackle border security issues.

The Nation