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Thailand Tackles Illegal Immigration

There will be no illegal immigrants living or working in Thailand by the end of next year, caretaker deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya has stated. He said a new, integrated national mechanism would be fully operational by then. Immigration police would lead 10 other government agencies responsible for national security and civilian intelligence services in stamping out illegal entry, unlawful employment, and human trafficking. Chidchai made his comments at a Bangkok seminar aimed at tackling illegal immigration on 3 August 2006. The Thaksin Shinawatra administration has made ending illegal immigration a priority. Chidchai, a former police general, said Bt100 million would be spent on creating a database containing details of all foreigners entering, leaving and living and working in Thailand.

He said other measures needed to be adopted, such as the e-passport project and suppression of fake passports and travel documents. The fine for illegal entry would be increased to Bt500, he added. Immigration Bureau commander Pol Lt-General Suwat Thamrongsrisakul said he would ask for more staff. There are 3,800 immigration officers dealing with illegal immigrants that enter via more than 5,000 kilometres of border, he said.

Adapted from: "Illegal immigration should end next year." The Nation. 4 August 2006.