UNHCR praises decision to issue Thai citizenship to four Mu Pa boys

Through all the drama and an international team of rescuers to recover them, some good has come from the Mu Pa football team story.

Thai PBS reports that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has welcomed the Thai Government’s decision to grant Thai citizenship to three stateless Wild Boars boys and their football coach this week.

“By providing these boys and their coach with citizenship, Thailand has given them the chance to both dream of a brighter future and to reach their full potential,” said Carol Batchelor, UNHCR Special Adviser on Statelessness in a statement.

“By granting them citizenship, Thailand has provided them with a formal identity that will pave the way for them to achieve their aspirations,” she added.

The three boys namely Adul Sam-on, Mongkol Boonpiem and Pornchai Kamluang and their 25 year old coach, Ekapol Chanthawong were part of the 13 Mu Pa soccer team who were trapped in the flooded Tham Luang cave in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai. Their ordeal captivated the world for almost three weeks from June 23 to July 10 when an international rescue operation was launched to bring them out to safety.

The four, as well as 14 other stateless individuals, were granted Thai citizenship and issued with ID cards in Mae Sai district on Wednesday.

STORY: Thai PBS