Statement of solidarity in support of the Indigenous Peoples of Thailand
Artwork by Wanichakorn Kongkeeree , an Indigenous visual artist and story teller from Thailand.
Source credit: Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact
03.04.2025
National Land Coalition Philippines and ILC Asia Members & Partners
Subic, Zambales, Philippines
We, the National Land Coalition (NLC) Philippines, together with members and partners of the International Land Coalition (ILC) Asia from Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, and Vietnam gathered here in Subic, Zambales, for the learning session.
"Harnessing Biodiversity through Enhanced Land Rights of Communities: A Learning Event for CSOs and Communities,"
stand in firm solidarity with our colleagues in NLC Thailand, led by the Network of Indigenous Peoples in Thailand (NIPT), the Community Assembly of People Living with Forests, and the Northern Peasant Federation (NPF) who are mobilizing in mass protests to demand the protection of their land rights and an end to unjust policies threatening their communities.
We Strongly Support the Demands of the IPs of Thailand
At this critical moment, Indigenous Peoples, forest-dependent communities, and land rights defenders in Thailand are calling for urgent government action to uphold their rights and fulfill past commitments. We join them in demanding:
1. The immediate implementation of November 29, 2024, agreement – The Thai government must honor its commitments and halt the enforcement of two major legislations about protected forest areas and forest conservation zones:
a) Royal Decrees on Natural Resource Conservation under Section 64 of the National Parks Act B.E. 2562 [1];
and the b) Wildlife Conservation Act 2019.
These laws, if expanded, would devastate Indigenous and local communities nationwide by criminalizing traditional land use and forcing people off their ancestral lands;
2. Amend the Cabinet Resolution (dated November 26, 2018) on the residence and livelihood in protected forest areas – The amendment must clearly define the conditions in determining the land quality and the approval process for land use, and develop a mechanism that respects the community’s right to land, in line with the National Land Policy Act 2019;
We call on the Royal Thai Government to take immediate further steps, including:
- Establish a committee to revise the National Parks Act 2019 and the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act 2019- The established committee must include equal representation from both the government and the people;
- The acceleration of Community Land Titles as a legal option for people – The Thai government must establish a Community Land Title Committee with equal representation from the public and the state to ensure fair and transparent implementation. Community Land Titles are a crucial mechanism to secure tenure rights for Indigenous and rural populations, protecting them from land grabs and forced evictions;
- Government measures to protect stateless Indigenous Peoples and forest-dependent communities – Current laws disproportionately harm those without legal status, leaving stateless Indigenous groups and traditional forest communities vulnerable to displacement, arrests, and loss of livelihood. The government must take immediate action to prevent further harm and ensure their legal recognition and protection;
- Urgent action by the Deputy Prime Minister to present the agreed-upon resolutions to the Cabinet – The Thai government must demonstrate political will and accountability by promptly enacting the solutions negotiated with Indigenous leaders and land rights advocates. Delays in implementing these resolutions only prolong the suffering of affected communities.
We express deep concern over the Thai government’s inaction and failure to uphold its previous commitments and its continued repression of Indigenous and community land rights. The enforcement of the Royal Decrees on Natural Resource Conservation in protected areas without safeguards for local communities directly contradicts Thailand’s human rights obligations under international frameworks such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)[2] and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 169.[3]
Furthermore, we call for an end to the intimidation, criminalization, or violence against Indigenous leaders and land rights defenders. Further emphasizing that protecting one’s home, land, and way of life is not a crime, but a fundamental human right.
Our Solidarity
As we gather here in Subic, we reaffirm that land is life and that the struggles of Indigenous Peoples in Thailand are part of a broader, global fight for justice and dignity. We stand united with NIPT and all affected communities, amplifying all of their demands and calling on the Thai government to act now to protect the rights, lands, and livelihoods of its people.
To our brothers and sisters in Thailand, we will continue to stand with you in solidarity, until justice prevails.
In solidarity,
National Land Coalition Philippines
ILC Asia Members and Partners
March 25, 2025
Subic, Zambales, Philippines
[1] https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC209655/
[Accessed 03.24.2025]
[2] https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC218824/
[accessed on 03.24.2025]
[3] https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO::P12100_INSTRUMENT_ID:312314
[accessed on 03.24.2025]