One year olds required to have ID card.

[BaaBaa.]

House passes 1st reading of bill to require one-year-old babies to have ID card

The House of Representatives Wednesday passed the first reading of a bill to require one-year-old babies to have identification card.

The bill proposed by the Interior Minister would lower the requirement age for carrying identification card from 15 to one year.

Following over one hour of debate, the bill was approved with 222 to 81 votes with 5 MPs abstaining. Thirteen other MPs were present but they did not cast any type of vote.

The House set up a 25-member panel to vet the bill in seven days.

If approved the bill would require Thai citizens to have ID cards from one year to 60 years old.

During the debate, several MPs voiced concern that criminals would make fake ID cards using young chidlren's name.

Some MPs also voiced concern that the fee for making the first ID card, which was stated in the bill of Bt500 could be too high.

Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat said the fee was set as the maximum rate but the Interior Minister could later issue directive to set lower fee rate.

[STEVE G]

It doesn't sound very practicle does it? I mean one year olds don't normally carry wallets or anything to keep it in. I suppose you could stick it to the side of the pram, like you do with the tax disc on your motor scooter.

[BaaBaa.]

I've heard that mamy poko are developing a nappy with a pocket.

[PeteC]

This hasn't hit the Thai rags yet, maybe tomorrow morning. The wife went a bit ballistic when I told her about the 500 Baht fee, unless she said that is a once in a lifetime fee? Anyway, the photo will be no good after a year or less as babies change appearance so quickly. No idea how they're going to manage that, a new card each year up to age 12?! Pete

[barrys]

I wonder if there are any political connections with the company standing to make so much money from all the millions of new cards that will be needed - or am I just growing cynical

[PeteC]

I guess one positive thing is what the wife mentioned, in that now she has to take the daughter's original Thai birth certificate with her whenever doing something official, or signing her up for something. That shouldn't be necessary any longer.

I imagine when they implement it the lines will be long, and they'll extend the deadline. Probably best to wait until the initial rush is over. Pete

[PeteC]

If they want to make more money, I'll pay for a legal resident foreigner ID card. Not just PR status but those here on retirement visas and the like. Avoid the need to carry the passport in the slim chance you are asked for it...but as soon as you don't carry it, you probably would be.

The US Embassy issues 'passport cards' for a fee which is supposed to be sufficient for the Thai authorities when asked for your passport. I think they forgot to tell the Thai authorities that as I know a few instances where it wasn't accepted. Pete

[BaaBaa.]

This hasn't hit the Thai rags yet

My text was copied from a certain Thai website that had the story from The Nation.

[BaaBaa.]

Anyway, the photo will be no good after a year or less as babies change appearance so quickly. No idea how they're going to manage that, a new card each year up to age 12?! Pete

I had my sons British Passport done when he was about 6 months old, he's 3 in March.
He looks absolutely nothing like his Passport photo and that's valid for 6 years.

[richard]

Won't fly for all the above reasons plus who in an Isaan village has the dosh to go through with this process? and do they really care? It won't be policed in rural areas and babes appear out of nowhere up there without the identity of mama or papa being known

Farcical

[BaaBaa.]

babes appear out of nowhere up there

True!

[Spitfire]

The 'Ministry of Good Ideas and Lofty plans' at it again, eh?

[Big Boy]

I had my sons British Passport done when he was about 6 months old, he's 3 in March.
He looks absolutely nothing like his Passport photo and that's valid for 6 years.

Nit picking, I know, but I think you'll find it's 5 years - or at least it used to be.

[PeteC]

This hasn't hit the Thai rags yet

My text was copied from a certain Thai website that had the story from The Nation.

Kow jai, I meant the Thai language papers. Not in this morning's edition, for sure Saturday morning. Pete

[BaaBaa.]

I had my sons British Passport done when he was about 6 months old, he's 3 in March.
He looks absolutely nothing like his Passport photo and that's valid for 6 years.

Nit picking, I know, but I think you'll find it's 5 years - or at least it used to be.

Pressed the wrong key!