The status of Thailand's implementation of international treaty obligations regarding linguistic human rights in education

Abstract

Given the recent consideration by the Thai government of a national language policy, this article considers the status of Thailand's treaty obligations regarding linguistic human rights in education. It presents a general background, a brief linguistic profile of Thailand, a concise summary of the concept and importance of linguicide, and a description of relevant treaties, preceded by an analysis using a standard taxonomy. Thailand's domestic legal position concerning linguistic human rights in education is examined in order to analyze the state of compliance with treaty obligations. This is followed by an analysis of the current policy framework and an examination of the extent of policy implementation in the case of Thai Malay in the Deep South, with small linguistic minorities, and in the case of Thailand's main regional languages. The article concludes by reporting on future developments based on the role that the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization considers the role of the mother tongue, in the context of the implementation of the UN Education for all programs, and how this may affect Thailand.