Abstract
The objective of this study was to review policies related to the health care and well-being of urban refugees and asylum seekers in Thailand (URAS). The qualitative approach was exercised. Data collection comprised a review of academic documents from both domestic and international sources, multi-lateral agreements or international covenants, and domestic laws related to human rights and health of URAS. The acquired data were analyzed by means of content analysis. The findings revealed that there were three main health issues faced by URASs in Thailand: (i) disease screening, (ii) mental health, and (iii) other health issues. In terms of international covenants, Thailand has not yet been a signatory of the 1951 Refugee Convention. However, in 2019, the Government endorsed the ‘Regulation of the Office of the Prime Minister: Screening Process for Aliens Entering the Kingdom of Thailand and Incapable of Returning to Their Home Country’. There have no tangible changes of healthcare policies for URASs after the Regulation was promulgated. The present study recommends that, the Regulation should be used to create a concrete set of committees to expedite the issuance of subordinate laws or orders that can be exercised at the local level. Moreover, there should be additional studies on the extent to which the Thai Government should become a party of the 1951 Refugee Convention and should withdraw a reservation to ratify Article 22 of the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child. A thorough investigation was recommended to estimate benefits and drawbacks of becoming a party of these international agreements.
