Charting Thailand's refugee path

In the mid-1970s, conflict and upheaval across this region forced millions of people from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos to flee their homes in fear. Amidst this chaos, Thailand became a sanctuary for these refugees, offering safety and hope to those displaced.

- Tammi Sharpe

To manage the humanitarian emergency, on Aug 16, 1975, the Royal Thai Government established the Operations Center for Displaced Persons (OCDP) under the Thai Ministry of Interior.

This pivotal moment marked a major turning point in Thailand's role as a place of refuge for people displaced by conflict in the region. During this period, the Thai government, through OCDP, coordinated efforts to manage the influx as well as essential services such as food, shelter, and medical care, playing a critical role in responding to forced displacement — one that remains deeply relevant today.

In Myanmar, conflict has ebbed and flowed for decades, demanding even greater attention now in 2025 than perhaps at any point since at least the early 2010s. It has forced hundreds of thousands of refugees to seek safety in neighbouring countries, including Thailand.