On 26 September 2025, at Miracle Grand Convention Hotel, Bangkok, the Rights and Liberties Protection Department, Ministry of Justice, held an award ceremony to honour efforts in addressing civil registration status and statelessness under the theme “Bringing the Light for Human Rights”. The event was presided over by Ms Aim-orn Siangyai, Director-General of the Rights and Liberties Protection Department, who expressed gratitude and commended those contributing to tangible progress in addressing civil registration and statelessness issues in Thailand.
At the event, World Vision Foundation of Thailand was recognised and presented with a total of three honorary awards:
Organisational Award: For its proactive role in effectively integrating support for individuals facing civil registration and statelessness issues.
Individual Awards: Presented to two outstanding staff members of World Vision Foundation of Thailand:
Sumit Wophapho, Civil Status and Rights Technical Advisor, World Vision Foundation of Thailand
Linfa Up-Pacha, Women & Children Affected by Migration Grants Manager, World Vision Foundation of Thailand
World Vision Foundation of Thailand’s outstanding work lies in its effective collaboration with government agencies, civil society, and local communities. This is achieved through the development of tools and approaches tailored to the specific challenges of each target group, as well as policy advocacy aimed at driving national-level change. World Vision Foundation of Thailand’s dedicated experts, such as Sumit Wophapho and Linfa Up-Pacha—both recipients of individual awards—play a vital role in this work through their insights and commitment to civil status and rights.
Sumit Wophapho was also a speaker in the academic panel discussion titled “Experiences in Effectively Integrating Support for Individuals with Civil Registration and Statelessness Issues”. He emphasised the critical challenges faced by stateless children, particularly their unequal access to government services such as education, travel, healthcare, and legal protection.
“Children without civil status or nationality are voiceless within the government system. They are unable to access the basic rights they deserve as human beings. We must not leave them forgotten. That is why we continue working with the government and civil society to push for policy change and build a system that enables everyone in Thailand to access these rights equally,” said Sumit during the panel discussion.
