Thailand’s responses to asylum seekers: international pressures and domestic compliance to the principle of non-refoulement

The treatment of asylum seekers remains a global challenge, with states balancing their humanitarian obligations against domestic and international political considerations. Thailand has a long history of hosting asylum seekers, and appears to respect the principle of non-refoulement, although the Thai government’s responses have been inconsistent. Under Prayut Chan-o-cha’s premiership, while some asylum seekers were accommodated or assisted in going to third countries, others were repatriated to their countries of origin. This study employs the rationalist approach to analyze Thailand’s mixed compliance with the principle of non-refoulement between 2014 and 2019, examining the power dynamics of the international refugee regime, the role of reputation, and interstate relations. A comparative analysis between the cases of returns and cases in which deportations were averted provides insights into the complex decision-making process. First, the findings reveal that international refugee regime has a limited efficacy. Second, reputation plays a significant role in compliance when there is a high degree of pressure and a clear impact on a country’s foreign policy goals. Third, interstate relations also influence the Thai government’s decisions, as favorable relationships with the countries of origin may take precedence over the principle of non-refoulement.