Bangkok: The government has ordered a comprehensive review of the citizenship application system, aiming to close existing loopholes and implement stricter measures to prevent foreign nominees from exploiting the system for unlawful purposes. The initiative is part of a broader social restructuring effort to enhance national security and protect the rights of Thai citizens.
According to Thai News Agency, the move comes after Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul instructed the integration of efforts across all ministries and relevant agencies to drive government policies towards achieving tangible results. The decision follows the discovery of several cases where foreign nationals holding Thai citizenship were linked to criminal activities and nominee networks during the government's crackdown on social problems.
Ms. Ploytalay Laksmisangchan, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, highlighted the role of the Ministry of Interior's Special Task Force for Social Order (STF-So) in leading these initiatives. The task force is set to review the entire process for applying for Thai citizenship, including initial steps, criteria, and the consideration process. A retrospective evaluation of how citizenship was obtained will also be conducted. The results will inform a revision of the Nationality Act of 1965 to better align with current circumstances, ensuring that loopholes are closed and the rights and interests of Thai citizens are safeguarded.
Concurrently, the Ministry of Interior's Department of Provincial Administration is working to educate administrative officials at all levels about immigration laws. This effort aims to enhance surveillance mechanisms within communities, encouraging both officials and citizens to report suspicious activities, particularly those involving the misuse of Thai citizens' identification for fraudulent purposes.
Additionally, the Department of Provincial Administration is tasked with verifying the legality of accommodations potentially operating as unlicensed hotels. Through an online platform, a database of short-term accommodations has been compiled, and provinces have been instructed to verify the legitimacy of these establishments. If found to be operating without a license, provinces are to investigate licensing obstacles and update relevant laws to ensure compliance.
Ms. Ploytalay emphasized the government's commitment to protecting Thai citizens' rights and preventing the misuse of legal loopholes. The one-year retrospective review of data will identify irregularities, guiding potential amendments to the Nationality Act to foster stability in managing citizenship and nationality.