Thailand to issue new immigration card

Post by **buksida** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 1:22 pm

A new immigration card will be introduced for use by those going in and out of Thailand by the end of this year, said Immigration Police chief Pol. Lt-Gen. Chatchawan Suksomchit.

Holders of the Immigration Card will include those who travel in and out of the country three to five times in a year, regardless of their nationality.

The Immigration Card holders, Thai and foreign alike, will bypass normal procedures of the Immigration Police which include scanning for criminal suspects or those on the police and immigration Watch List.

Instead, the Immigration Card holders will have the privileges to go through fast passage at airports, the Immigration Police chief said.

The Immigration Card, which will be issued to tourists and others by the end of this year, marking the advent of a fresh tourist season, was part of the efforts to promote tourism and investment in the country.

Meanwhile, the Immigration Police will open Call Centre 1178 early next year to provide tourism-related information in eight languages. Besides, the Immigration Police will take part in the crackdown on the exploitation of foreign labour and flesh trade throughout the country. (TNA)

Source: MCOT

Thought: I'd like to think that this is a step towards an ID card system for semi-permanent foreigners (similar to Hong Kong) but I feel it may just be the beginning of another opportunity to make money out of foreigners that don't get it stamped correctly or don't report in time or whatever.

Super Joe · Post by **Super Joe** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 1:46 pm

The Immigration Card holders, Thai and foreign alike, will bypass normal procedures of the Immigration Police which include scanning for criminal suspects or those on the police and immigration Watch List.

Instead, the Immigration Card holders will have the privileges to go through fast passage at airports, the Immigration Police chief said.

The Immigration Card, which will be issued to tourists and others by the end of this year, marking the advent of a fresh tourist season, was part of the efforts to promote tourism and investment in the country.

Good news, another move in the right direction.

SJ

Post by **Sabai Jai** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 12:00 am

As always it depends what the real intention behind it is but anything that smoothes passage through immigration sounds like good news.

All this business of standing to have you photo taken etc is tedious after a long flight

SJ

Post by **dtaai-maai** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 1:26 am

Sabai Jai wrote: All this business of standing to have you photo taken etc is tedious after a long flight

SJ

Do what???????? Tell me you're kidding.

Post by **STEVE G** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 1:36 am

dtaai-maai wrote:
Sabai Jai wrote: All this business of standing to have you photo taken etc is tedious after a long flight

SJ
Do what???????? Tell me you're kidding.

Not at all; that’s what you have to do at the moment.
A card certainly sounds like a good idea to me as I’m through immigration about five times a year, but I’m left with a suspicion that you will have to pay an annual fee for it.
Mind you it would be worth it as long as it wasn’t a silly amount.

Post by **STEVE G** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 1:39 am

Another thing that has occurred to me is that an official card with a photo on it would be a handy thing to have, as it’s not always convenient to carry your passport with you everywhere.

Post by **dtaai-maai** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 1:52 am

Hell's teeth, I confess to being shocked.

Also a bit surprised - if they really want a photo of every individual entering the country (bearing in mind that they already have several of anyone who has any type of visa), it wouldn't be difficult to do it automatically, surely?

Where is this done? At the immigration desk?

Unbelievable.

And astonishing that this is the first mention of it.

Post by **STEVE G** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 2:00 am

Yes dtaai-mai, they have a small camera connected to a computer that takes a picture of you as you stand at the desk.
I’m not sure if it’s not using one of these biometric systems where the computer records the dimensions of points on your face and uses that to identify you when you leave or whatever.

Post by **dtaai-maai** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 2:07 am

Thank you Steve.

The pressure to emigrate to Thailand must be increasing sharply...

Next thing you know they'll be asking us to sign in every 3 months so they know where we are!

Post by **BaaBaa.** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 2:11 am

dtaai-maai wrote:
Sabai Jai wrote: All this business of standing to have you photo taken etc is tedious after a long flight

SJ
Do what???????? Tell me you're kidding.

There you go.

Post by **dtaai-maai** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 2:17 am

Well, at least there doesn't seem to be much of a queue...

Mind you that bloke's taking a bit of a chance - his right foot is definitely out of position!

Post by **BaaBaa.** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 2:27 am

dtaai-maai wrote:Well, at least there doesn't seem to be much of a queue...

Mind you that bloke's taking a bit of a chance - his right foot is definitely out of position!

He must be a rebel that plays by his own rules.

Post by **caller** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 2:41 am

The queue is behind the photographer - the dreaded red line is the barrier in front...

Post by **Guess** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 3:02 am

caller wrote:The queue is behind the photographer - the dreaded red line is the barrier in front...

Yes, probably a Merseyside dole queue behind.

I seem to remember that Swampi was the first airport in the world to be fitted with all the latest recognition devices at immigration. This would be close up biometric facial, retinal and fingerprint recognition. Maybe this is some kind of pilot.

They state that all nationalities would use the system. My guess is that they will start with Thais.

Surely the motive must be to save money, but of course if some official finds he can make money as well then it will happen.

Post by **lomuamart** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 5:20 am

I appreciate that this proposed measure might make it easier for regular visitors. However, tourists won't benefit.
The article said entry 3-5 times a year. Will that cover visa runners? I doubt it. Will it cover those of us who live here - maried to a Thai, over 50 or working?
Farangs married to a Thai and who are passing through Thai Immigration together can simply walk to the Thai counter and whiz through.
This sounds like a version of The Elite Card. In other words (I can't say that word).
How does Imm issue these cards? Do they do so as the alien exits and the officer has counted up the entries they've had? "Well sir/madam, it seems like you qualify for a special card on your next return. Come this way and we can delay you even more". If they check on entry - I won't bother with that one.
This is simply being mooted to save some idiot's face because tourist numbers are down. Note "a fresh tourist season":