Thai Immigration Deportation Dilemma: an English school analysis

International Relations (IR) have been preoccupied and dominated by some of the theoretical approaches such as realism, liberalism, constructivism, and their ‘neo’ branches. However, it is evident that the aforementioned theories also limit the framework of their discussion, elaboration, and the knowledge fostered with regards to the analysis of our world. Therefore, this research study proposes another potential IR theory called ‘The English School (International Society)’ as a core theory to analyse the Thai Immigration’s deportation dilemma regarding factors driving Thailand to change its decisions and course towards human rights. The research begins with an overview of The Thai Immigration Bureau’s structure, source of power and jurisdiction, immigration mechanisms, legal commitment, and organizational culture such as its bureaucratic nature and relationship with the government. Subsequently, the prominent cases leading to Thai immigration dilemmas, namely, the case of Rahaf Mohammed (formerly Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun), Hakeem al-Araibi, and several other relevant cases are discussed respectively. The research findings reveal four major factors which influenced The Thai Immigration to change their decisions: (1) states and the group of states (intergovernmental organisations), (2) non-states actors, (4) social media and mass media, and (4) the government and bureaucracy. Altogether, these factors are the secondary institutions which promote and extend the primary institutions, human rights, over Thai authorities. The pattern can be demonstrated as ‘Complex Governance’, multiple routes of factors/actors. Moreover, the pattern leads to the finding of ‘semi-solidarist International Society’: a combination of pluralism and solidarism. While the International Society allows the existence of ‘sovereignty’ in the name of national security, ‘human rights’ is worshipped to safeguard humanity.