Diversity and inclusion in Thailand: Progress and challenges
Of all Southeast Asian nations, Thailand takes the lead in diversity and inclusion. New laws have been passed to help those who were previously marginalized, and newer infrastructure is designed with a variety of people's needs in mind. That said, the country still lacks in some regards. This guide breaks down Thailand's successes and setbacks in this area.
Ethnic and racial diversity in Thailand
Thailand is home to an estimated 72 million people. Seventy-five percent of that number are ethnic Thai or Lao. About 14% are ethnic Chinese. The remaining 11% are ethnic Malay Muslim or Khmer or are indigenous to the country, such as the people of the Karen or Hmong Hill Tribes.
As for expats, it's hard to calculate the number living in the country because Thai officials don't release these statistics. However, some websites estimate the number of expats living in Thailand to be between 500,000 and 1 million.
What does that mean to you? Well, if you decide to live in or visit Bangkok, Phuket, Hua Hin, Pattaya, or similar cities, you'll most likely meet people of all backgrounds. But the further you get into rural Thailand, the less diverse it becomes.
Socioeconomic diversity in Thailand
Despite reports that Thailand is closing the gap between the haves and have-nots, much of the country outside of Bangkok still lives in poverty. You can see the disparity between the rich and poor everywhere. Million-dollar high-rise condos tower riverside shacks. Street vendors work double shifts selling food to business people. And social mobility is a rarity in the country.
Moreover, Bangkok remains the only economic hub in Thailand. So, people who don't live in the capital have few avenues to build a quality life. Most citizens rely on laborious work like fishing or farming. The lucky few who live in highly visited tourist areas can make ends meet by doing other jobs in the hospitality or food industries.
Gender equality in Thailand
Thailand lags behind other nations when it comes to gender equality despite the government implementing the Gender Equality Act of 2015. Women are often shown being raped or beaten on primetime television – dubbed as “rape culture”, and disproven beliefs about women in sports still run rampant throughout the country.
In the workplace, though, Thai women are emerging as leaders. Thirty-two percent of senior leadership positions are held by women, and that number improves every year. This beats the global average of 27%. Many of Thailand's younger entrepreneurs are women who, because of the Internet and social media, no longer have to go through traditional business gatekeepers to startup companies.
Religious diversity in Thailand
The Thai constitution grants everyone in the country the right to practice any religion as long as they abide by the guidelines set in Chapter III, Section 31:
“A person shall enjoy full liberty to profess a religion and shall enjoy the liberty to exercise or practice a form of worship in accordance with his or her religious principles, provided that it shall not be adverse to the duties of the Thai people, neither shall it endanger the safety of the State, nor shall it be contrary to public order or good morals”.
That said, Buddhism makes up most of Thailand's religion, followed by Islam, then Christianity, then a mix of other beliefs.
- Buddhism: 93.5%;
- Islam: 5.4%;
- Christianity: 1.1%;
- Other: 0.1%.
The country is home to thousands of temples, churches, and mosques. In fact, people from all major faiths are never too far from a place of worship. Whether you're a devout Buddhist, Muslim, or Christian, you'll always find a welcoming place to worship in Thailand.
LGBTQIA rights in Thailand
Although the Thai government only recently passed a same-sex marriage bill, for the most part, Thai society has always been open and accepting of those who identify as LGBTQIA . In fact, Thailand (along with the Philippines) is home to the largest number of transgenders in Southeast Asia. Thai officials plan to host a five-day Pride celebration in 2024 across 30 cities in Thailand.
That said, there is a conservative part of Thai society that still frowns upon the LGBTQIA community. This hasn't led to any open clashes between sides, as Thai society favors social harmony over public disputes. But if you identify as LGBTQIA , don't be surprised if someone treats you differently in a more passive, less aggressive way.
People of determination in Thailand
Thailand is improving its infrastructure to accommodate determined people. For instance, sidewalks are designed with the blind in mind. Wheelchair access to government offices is available, and most public parking lots provide handicapped spots.
That said, the country still has a long way to go to accommodate people of determination. Much of its sidewalks are often riddled with potholes from motorcycle taxis riding over them all day. Many of the banks and other important buildings don't provide wheelchair access. Some of the older BTS Skytrain stations don't even have elevators.
Thai citizenship
Thailand might not be the melting pot that America is, but you can become a Thai citizen if you meet any of the following qualifications:
- employment: You must have run a company or worked in Thailand for at least 2 years with a minimum salary of 80,000 Thai Baht (100,000 Thai Baht in some cases) per month and have paid income taxes on that money for 2 consecutive years;
- expert: You must hold at least a bachelor's degree and possess the specialized skills that are needed in Thailand;
- humanity reasons: You must be married to a Thai citizen for at least 2 years or be the parent or child of a Thai citizen;
- investment: You have to invest at least 10 million Thai Baht into a Thai company, Thai stock market, or government-issued security.
Depending on your category, you will have to pay 5,000 to 10,000 Thai Baht for the process.
