Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Thailand
Thailand: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum was 2,880 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Thailand, 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
Thailand recorded 2,880 for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in 2025.
The figure is up 10.6% on the previous year and down 65.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Thailand peaked at 32,137 in 2005 and was at its lowest, 343, in 2001.
That places Thailand 84th out of 179 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Thailand, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 360 | — |
| 2001 | 343 | -4.7% |
| 2002 | 1,051 | +206.4% |
| 2003 | 2,645 | +151.7% |
| 2004 | 1,038 | -60.8% |
| 2005 | 32,137 | +2996.1% |
| 2006 | 18,406 | -42.7% |
| 2007 | 13,471 | -26.8% |
| 2008 | 12,563 | -6.7% |
| 2009 | 10,245 | -18.5% |
| 2010 | 10,233 | -0.1% |
| 2011 | 13,331 | +30.3% |
| 2012 | 14,554 | +9.2% |
| 2013 | 4,685 | -67.8% |
| 2014 | 7,917 | +69.0% |
| 2015 | 8,248 | +4.2% |
| 2016 | 4,986 | -39.5% |
| 2017 | 2,046 | -59.0% |
| 2018 | 934 | -54.3% |
| 2019 | 837 | -10.4% |
| 2020 | 852 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | 677 | -20.5% |
| 2022 | 926 | +36.8% |
| 2023 | 1,674 | +80.8% |
| 2024 | 2,604 | +55.6% |
| 2025 | 2,880 | +10.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 9,226 | 343 | 32,137 | 10 |
| 2010s | 6,777 | 837 | 14,554 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,602 | 677 | 2,880 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Thailand
- 81 Suriname 3,191 compare
- 82 Papua New Guinea 3,121 compare
- 83 Luxembourg 3,050 compare
- 85 Denmark 2,738 compare
- 86 Kyrgyzstan 1,981 compare
- 87 Burkina Faso 1,957 compare
More social development data for Thailand
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 84,017 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 327 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh 6 (2025)
- Democracy lexical 0 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 6 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 327 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0012 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Thailand?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Thailand was 2,880 in 2025, according to Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
- What is the highest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in Thailand?
- The highest recorded value was 32,137 in 2005.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in Thailand?
- The lowest recorded value was 343 in 2001.
- How does Thailand rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum?
- Thailand ranks 84th out of 179 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in Thailand?
- Over the last ten years it is down 65.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Thailand data come from?
- The figures come from Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), published as part of Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Asylum-seekers are individuals who have sought international protection and whose claims for refugee status have not yet been determined. This includes those who are in various stages of the asylum process, such as initial application, appeal, or awaiting final decision. In specific contexts, asylum-seekers may also include those who are seeking protection under complementary forms of protection, and those enjoying temporary protection, but whose claims are still under consideration.