UNHCR: Government-issued ID cards mark new era of refugee inclusion and self-reliance in Thailand

Countries: Thailand, Myanmar Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees BANGKOK – Refugees living in temporary shelters along the Thai-Myanmar border began receiving official identity cards today in a historic milestone welcomed by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. The issuance of official, non-Thai identity cards by the Royal Thai Government formally recognizes the group as “Myanmar Displaced Persons”, and is a landmark step towards inclusion, protection and self-reliance for one of the world’s most