Thai citizenship process to be corruption-free in future
BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Interior has ordered its officials to make the process of granting Thai nationality corruption free.
The process must be transparent, without bribes and extortion, the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Interior, Siwa Sangmanee, told TNA on Monday.
All state-less people, minorities and foreign residents in Thailand seeking Thai citizenship will be dealt justly and strictly according to the law, he said.
The ministry has also ordered its officials to provide adequate public information about the citizenship process and the regulations concerned to potential applicants in order to prevent corruption.
Anyone abused by officials can lodge their complaints to the authorities at the Damrongdhramma Centre at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, or call 1567.
Officials found guilty of abuse, or corruption will be prosecuted, Mr. Siwa warned.
Some state-less people and minorities have already been granted Thai citizenship earlier this year.
Unsuccessful applicants will be informed of the reasons they were turned down within a designated time.
--TNA 2004-08-17