The Thai government has approved a policy to grant citizenship to over 483,000 members of ethnic minorities and long-term migrants as part of an effort to address longstanding residency issues and stimulate the economy.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced the decision following a cabinet meeting.

This measure seeks to expedite the legal status confirmation for 825,635 individuals currently residing in Thailand, particularly focusing on the 483,626 awaiting status confirmation.

Proposed by the National Security Council, the policy updates an earlier resolution from 2021 and responds to historical migration patterns dating back to 1984.

Government spokesman Jirayu Huangsab highlighted the economic benefits, noting that the streamlined process allows for self-certification of qualifications and background checks, shifting approval responsibilities from central to local agencies.