This article will discuss the discrimination and mistreatment of refugees in Thailand. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, prejudice is “an unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially when formed without enough thought or knowledge”. In Thailand, there are many prejudices against refugees, such as the belief that they are a "danger to society." Or the assumption that they are a "lower class". These types of attitudes and beliefs stem not only from racial problems but also from classism issues in Thailand, as well as in many other countries.

     Since 1984, many people from neighboring countries have attempted to enter Thailand in hopes of seeking asylum. They have to enter for reasons such as war, military coup, and much more. While these are perfect reasons to accept refugees, Thailand has refused to accept refugees. Many people in need of assistance, who simply want to find safety and shelter, are sent back to where they came from, back to the dangerous place they have worked so hard to escape from. Do you think it's right to do this? Do you believe it is fair to send someone to their death? Innocent people are harmed as a result of this issue, and hundreds of refugees who are only seeking asylum are chased out. This shouldn't even be an issue, people shouldn't have to fear being denied safety. It is a human right (article 3 and article 14) that we are entitled to, and no one should be able to take these rights away from us. So why is it, that many countries (not just Thailand) deny access to refugees, is it right for us to do this? 

     Furthermore, even if refugees are allowed to enter the country, they face discrimination. A study was conducted in Thailand to determine how Thai people perceived refugees. Approximately 48% of people believe that registered migrant workers pose a risk to their safety. What is shocking is that 82.4 percent of people believe unregistered refugees are dangerous and pose a threat. Most of these unregistered refugees probably don't want to come here; they're likely here because they're facing dangerous problems in their home country.To believe that these people, whose only goal is to survive, pose a threat to human safety is a dangerous mindset. It is unreasonable to perceive them as such dangerous people and to hold such negative views of them without even knowing them. These refugees are the ones in need of assistance, so why are we the ones making them criminals? They only want to live, so why are we treating them as if they are the most dangerous beings? Unfortunately, this issue is not limited to Thailand. A study was conducted at UCLA, and researchers discovered that 70% of the 2,000 people polled had experienced some form of discrimination. Unfortunately, these issues persist in the twenty-first century. 

     Despite these depressing statistics, there is a way to help solve these issues. Donating to organizations such as the UNHCR (unhcr.org/th/en) or other organizations that use donations to help refugees is one way you can help. You can spread the word and inform the world about the issues that these people are dealing with. Another good way to help the cause is to volunteer such as this website rescue.org/volunteer. Last but not least, contact people in positions of power and inform them of the struggles refugees are facing, you can do this through letters or emails. To summarize, don't judge others solely based on their appearance; they may be going through something far worse than you can imagine.