Move Forward Party (MFP) MPs have re-submitted to parliament a bill to promote indigenous people’s rights based on the 300 policies proposed during the election campaign.

MFP MPs, led by Parit Wacharasindhu, submitted nine bills based on the 300 policies proposed during the election campaign. One of the bills aims to promote the rights of ethnic minorities and indigenous people, one of a set of laws on inclusivity and diversity.

MFP MP Manop Keereepuwadol, from an indigenous Karen community, said five bills meant to protect indigenous people’s rights were proposed during the last parliament’s term. The key point of the bills aligns with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, to which Thailand has been a signatory since 2007. The Constitution also emphasises the protection of indigenous people in Thailand. However, none of the bills were placed on the agenda.

He stated that the party places importance on indigenous people. In the last parliament’s term, the party also proposed a bill called The Strengthening and Protection of Ethnic Way of Life.  However, the bill was deemed a financial bill, which requires preliminary approval by the caretaker cabinet under PM Prayut Chan-o-cha. Currently, it remains unclear how the PM will approach this bill. In this parliament’s term, the Party adjusted and re-submitted the bill.

On the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (9 August 2023), MFP MP Laofang Bundidterdsakul said the party proposed this bill to affirm the protection of marginalized groups. Currently, there are approximately 6 million people from various ethnic groups and indigenous communities across Thailand, with 2 million residing in highland areas. Most of them have been affected by unjust laws and state policies. Their rights to development, citizenship, land, traditional resources, and ways of life have been restricted.

He stated that the aim of the bill is to reduce inequality and create more opportunities for indigenous people. He added that although the Constitution guarantees equal rights for every person, indigenous people still face discrimination from regulations and policies, including bias embedded in Thai society.

Apart from the bill proposed by the MFP, four similar bills have been proposed by several organisations, including the Network of Indigenous Peoples in Thailand (NIPT) and the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre.

The revised bill proposed by the MFP has three crucial parts: to ratify indigenous people’s rights and prohibit discrimination against them; to establish a committee responsible for protecting and strengthening indigenous rights; and to declare protected zones in order to resolve issues related to overlapping areas within forest zones and reduce restrictions on the right to development, such as electricity, water supply, land, and resource utilization.

On the same day, the Indigenous Media Network went to parliament and urged the House Speaker to place on the agenda the Council of Indigenous Peoples bill, proposed by NIPT during the previous parliament, and reconsider it according to parliamentary procedure.

The bill aims to found a formal indigenous peoples’ council to give Thailand’s indigenous population the opportunity to resolve community rights issues. It was backed by over 12,000 signatures and was first submitted to parliament in 2021. But the bill was not placed on the agenda before parliament was dissolved.