Streamlining Immigration: A Fresh Approach
Deputy prime minister urges establishment of a new administrative entity.
In a bid to boost efficiency and effectiveness, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has proposed the formation of a dedicated department to manage immigration affairs. This move aims to streamline immigration-related tasks and foster better coordination among related agencies.
On a Wednesday meeting with the chairman of the Immigration Commission, Anutin presented his idea, recommending the formation of a subcommittee to scrutinize the feasibility of this department. He emphasized the necessity of addressing the growing cross-border movement of both Thai nationals and foreigners.
The Interior Ministry, with its wide-ranging responsibilities concerning national security, public welfare, and legal rights for all residents, handles various immigration matters such as residency permits, work authorizations, citizenship applications, and civil registration. Moreover, the ministry maintains a database that could be improved to facilitate immigration services more efficiently.
Anutin's proposal aligns with the government's directive to integrate the population database with public services, a step towards enhancing and expanding the database at a reduced cost compared to creating a new system. This initiative is part of the government's plan to improve the efficiency, responsiveness, and performance of public administration.
The proposal has its roots in events dating back to Jan 10, 2017, when the cabinet approved a proposal allowing the prime minister and the interior minister to issue ministerial regulations under the Immigration Act. At that time, the permanent secretary of the interior was designated as the chair of the Immigration Commission, and the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC) was tasked with assessing the impact of creating an immigration affairs department. These findings were approved provisionally by the cabinet.
Since then, discussions between the OPDC and the Ministry of Interior have taken place, during which the Interior Ministry detailed its roles and functions and shared recommendations for integrated border management. The proposal advocates for a unified agency to supervise cross-border human movement, aiming to enhance coordination, efficiency, and national security.
Currently, immigration duties are distributed across several agencies, including the Interior Ministry, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Royal Thai Police, the Labour Ministry, the Office of the Attorney General, the Board of Investment, the National Security Council, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and the Immigration Bureau.
One of the main challenges faced by the government is the lack of a united approach in managing immigration. The proposed department seeks to address this by establishing a single agency, ensuring coordination and efficiency in handling immigration-related matters. Additionally, the department aims to provide mechanisms for integrated immigration services, address increased population mobility, and manage immigration effectively.
In essence, this move represents a significant step towards enhancing our immigration system, promoting coordination, and providing efficient services for travelers and immigrants alike. Alongside this proposal, Thailand is also implementing the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), a digitalization effort aimed at streamlining entry procedures for foreigners starting May 1, 2025. This system requires travelers to submit essential entry and health declaration information at least three days prior to their arrival date. Together, these initiatives underscore the government's commitment to modernizing and improving the immigration process.
- Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's proposal for a dedicated immigration department aligns with the government's aim to integrate the population database with public services, a step towards streamlining and reducing costs in creating a new system.
- The proposed immigration department, if established, would address the lack of a unified approach in managing immigration, ensuring coordination and efficiency in handling immigration-related matters.
- The government's commitment to modernizing and improving the immigration process is further highlighted by the implementation of the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), aimed at streamlining entry procedures for foreigners from May 1, 2025.
- The coordination among related agencies, such as the Interior Ministry, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Royal Thai Police, and the Immigration Bureau, will be fostered by the proposed immigration department, aiming to manage immigration effectively and promote better citizenship integration among Thai population and foreigners.
