Thailand
The need for protection in Thailand
The conflict between the government of Thailand and various Pattani Malay separatist groups can be traced back to more than a century ago, when the Pattani people were forcibly assimilated into the Thai culture. The Thai government and Malay separatist groups have been in peace talks on and off since 2013. Women are often not included in high-level discussions, local groups are wary of them—and how that translates to peace in Southern Thailand.
Thailand continues to feel the destabilizing effects of the situation in neighboring Myanmar: Apart from internal displacement within Myanmar, there could be as many as 30,000 asylum seekers across the border in Thailand who are facing insecurity without any official status and the constant risk of detention.
NP’s work in Thailand
Our work in Thailand began in 2015, when NP teamed up with Rotary Clubs of St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S. and Khuanlang-Hatyai, Thailand for three workshops on civilian engagement in peace processes. From these workshops, our Thai relationships grew. NP has continued to engage in civilian protection, women’s empowerment, psychosocial support, and collaborative research, working closely with local and regional partners.
Protection capacity enhancement:NP hosts training and lecture series on Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP). Since 2016, NP has worked in Southern Thailand—particularly in Yala, Pattani, Natathiwat and Songkhla. Together with local partner Duayjai Group, NP offers training and lectures on UCP. NP has teamed up with Duajay to support local human rights monitoring across the four Southern Border Provinces.
Women Peace and Security (WPS): NP Philippines has facilitated research on UCP opportunities and developing civilian protection guidelines. One highlight: From 2023 to 2025, the Regional Center for Social Sciences and Sustainable Development (RCSD), and NP Myanmar explored UCP practices and vulnerabilities faced by Myanmar refugees in Chiang Mai and Mae Sot.
The future of NP’s work in Thailand
In Southern Thailand, NP will support women-led groups on violence monitoring and reporting, provide rehabilitation support to torture and violence survivors, and work with youth who are at-risk of violence or recruitment to armed groups—in particular, by increasing space for young people to promote human rights and the peace process.
In Northern Thailand, NP will support those currently seeking temporary shelters in the Thai-Myanmar border region by connecting them to emergency provisions and protection, as well as mental health survival skills.
Population: 71.6 million
Registered as stateless: 592,340
Myanmar refugees: 81,039
GPI Ranking of Peaceful Countries: #75 out of 163
Vulnerable: 2.1 million
NP started working in Thailand in 2015, and our continuous presence started in 2021.
“Peace is a process rather than a goal.
We need to bear in mind that building peace
has building trust as its core."
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