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3.5 Traditionally Marginalized Populations

Perception from Majority Thai. Almost all mainstream Thai participants indicated it is important
for their government to make extra effort to include perspectives from people from backgrounds

that are not mainstream when it is making decisions. Similarly, the whole country does not move
forward if some people are left behind.

Some expressed sympathy with minorities who have been neglected in the past, in the belief
that integrating them will be beneficial to Thai society in the future.

This perspective aligns with values for respecting others.

“I believe that all Thai people are equal, and that we have one vote in a democratic system.
All perspectives are valuable and should be considered.”
- Female, 18-39, Central Region

“They have the same rights as us. So, the government should listen to them, too, to

develop the country; the whole country needs to be developed, not just some city people.
So, they have to listen to the opinions of the whole country.”
- Female, 18-39, Western Region

However, in the discussion, to some there are limits to this inclusion. There are complex

and unreconciled feelings about the identity and role of residents and citizens with an ethnic or
genetic lineage from areas outside of Thailand, and the reality that many have resided in Thailand
for generations.

A few expressed beliefs that ethnic minorities are involved in cross-border criminality,
narcotics trade, and might seek to weaken the borders or sovereignty of Thailand. Some

are concerned that they will make poor decisions in elections (which participants kindly
identified as opportunities to develop their citizenship skills).

“We are already helping them… we value them, but we don’t have to pay [too much]
attention to them, because if you pay too much attention to them, Thailand will all belong

to them. We have to focus on our Thai people the most. We can give them the right
to vote, but they shouldn’t have the right to be elected.”
- Female, 40+, Northern Region

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