Thailand’s Border Policy amid the Cross-Border Crisis from Myanmar

Abstract

This article primarily aims to analyze Thailand’s border policy in the context of impacts arising from the crisis in Myanmar following the 2021 military coup. The coup has triggered a range of cross-border issues—including humanitarian concerns, security challenges, and transnational threats. Employing a qualitative research methodology, the study analyzes secondary data from academic literature, reports by relevant agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the media, covering the period from 2021 to 2024, with a focus on the Thai–Myanmar border. The study finds that Thailand's border management continues to prioritize state security over human rights principles, resulting in limitations on the protection of displaced persons and refugees. Responses to the situation are often ad hoc, lacking a systematic legal or institutional framework. This has led to uncertainty in policy measures, absence of shared operational standards, and a lack of continuity in long-term management. Additionally, the article highlights policy limitations in addressing transnational threats, particularly cross-border crime. It provides an analysis at both the policy structure and implementation levels, comparing Thailand’s border policies with those of neighboring countries such as India, Laos, and Bangladesh. The article proposes recommendations for improving Thailand’s policy system in the long term, emphasizing a balance between state sovereignty and human rights principles. It also underscores the critical role of civil society in filling the gaps left by the state and advocates for its formal inclusion as a policy partner.