Thailand —
Deputy Interior Ministers Polpheep Suwannachawi and Worashit Liangprasert have directed a sweeping review of Thailand’s citizenship application process, citing concerns over loopholes exploited by foreign nationals through nominee arrangements.
At the third meeting of the Interior Ministry’s Special Task Force on Social Order, held at the Ratchasri Conference Room, the ministers instructed officials to dismantle and reassess the current system for granting Thai nationality. The review will cover application procedures, eligibility criteria, and past approvals, with findings to inform amendments to the Nationality Act of 1965.
The move follows nationwide enforcement operations against “nominee” practices, where foreigners use Thai citizens as proxies to acquire property or establish businesses. Investigations revealed several cases involving foreign nationals who had already obtained Thai citizenship, raising questions about weaknesses in the existing framework.
Officials were ordered to conduct a one‑year retrospective audit of citizenship records to identify irregularities. The ultimate goal, according to the ministers, is to close legal gaps, safeguard national interests, and protect the rights of Thai citizens.
The Department of Provincial Administration was also tasked with strengthening awareness of immigration and nationality laws among local officials, from provincial to village levels. Communities are expected to play a role in monitoring suspicious activities and reporting potential abuses.
Particular attention will be paid to cases where foreigners allegedly misused Thai identity cards or personal data to establish companies , incidents previously uncovered in provinces such as Sakon Nakhon and Nakhon Phanom.
By tightening regulations and reinforcing oversight, the Interior Ministry wants to ensure that citizenship laws remain strong and responsive to current challenges, preventing exploitation that could undermine Thailand’s social and economic stability.
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