Thailand to review citizenship system and past cases

Thailand's government has ordered a review of the Thai citizenship application system and a retrospective check of records from past years, as part of a wider effort to tackle alleged foreign nominee arrangements.

Deputy government spokeswoman Ploytalay Laksmeesaengchan said on 17 September 2026 that the move followed cases uncovered during action against social threats and nominee networks which were linked to foreign nationals holding Thai citizenship.

The review was ordered by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, she said. It will cover application stages, eligibility criteria and consideration procedures, as well as the way Thai nationality was obtained in previous cases.

Citizenship law may be amended

A special social-order task force under the Interior Ministry has agreed to reassess the citizenship process and examine past grants of nationality. The findings will be used in considering amendments to the Nationality Act BE 2508 (1965), according to Ploytalay.

The stated aim is to make the law more robust, close loopholes that could be used for improper gain or to evade legal restrictions, and protect Thai citizens' rights and interests.

Focus on Thai nominee arrangements

The Department of Provincial Administration is also stepping up immigration-law training for local officials at provincial, district, village and community level.

Officials and residents are being asked to watch for and report suspicious activity, particularly cases in which foreign nationals use Thai ID cards or Thai citizens' personal information to establish companies.

Authorities have previously identified cases that could involve Thai people being used as nominees to bypass legal restrictions. Foreign investors and business owners should therefore ensure that company structures, shareholdings and documentation accurately reflect the real ownership and control of a business.

Ploytalay said the government would examine data from the past year to identify irregularities and weaknesses in the system before reviewing the criteria and considering changes to the 1965 nationality law.

Short-stay accommodation checks continue

The Interior Ministry is also monitoring accommodation that may be operating as hotels without the required permission.

The Department of Provincial Administration has compiled information on properties nationwide offering short-term rooms through online platforms and told every province to verify the facts. Where a business is found to be operating as a hotel without a licence, or without notification as a non-hotel accommodation provider, officials will examine obstacles to licensing and consider updates to relevant laws.

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18 September 2026