Bing Pang* and Kenneth V. Tling
MASD, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
Email: bpang1019@gmail.com (B.P.); kennethvanduh@gmail.com (K.V.T.)
*Corresponding author
Manuscript received January 22, 2024; revised February 15, 2024; accepted March 27, 2024; published September 13, 2024.
Abstract—This research delves into the political dynamics surrounding Thailand’s recent policy developments, particularly the introduction of a National Screening Mechanism (NSM) in late 2022. The NSM is designed to assess the status and eligibility of individuals unable to return to their country of origin, signaling a significant shift in Thailand’s approach to asylum seekers. Methodologically, the research adopts a qualitative approach, focusing on policy discourse analysis. This study analysis reveals key terms, emphasizing the central role of a committee in evaluating individuals’ status. The study examines the decision-making process, illustrating the committee’s pivotal role and potential subjective errors in refugee recognition. The study delves into the ideological dimension, exploring how Thailand’s historical experiences, military, and international collaborations shape its policies. The NSM, considered a balance of power, reflects a compromise approach amid ideological shifts.
Keywords—national screening mechanism, refugee, status determination, Thailand, ideology
Cite: Bing Pang and Kenneth V. Tling, "Policy Discourse Analysis of Thailand's National Screening Mechanism and Shifting Refugee Policies," International Journal of Social Science and Humanity, vol. 14, no. 5, pp. 208-213, 2024.
Copyright © 2024 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (
CC BY 4.0).