Thailand's Criminal Records Division has reminded applicants that nine types of criminal record check cannot be completed using a person's name and surname alone. Applicants in these cases, when criminal checks are required, must provide fingerprints instead.

The notice, dated 19 July 2026, covers several possible applications when a check may be required, including permanent residence, permission to stay and certificates of good conduct needed for overseas use.

The Criminal Records Division said fingerprint checks are required when applying for a criminal record check, when requested, under the relevant rules and procedures for the following nine categories:

1. Applications for government posts or work with state agencies and state enterprises.

2. Permissions handled by the Department of Provincial Administration, including applications involving firearms, the antique trade, hotel businesses, pawnshops, foundations or associations, and Thai nationality.

3. Matters handled by Immigration, including applications for permanent residence in Thailand and permission to remain in the kingdom.

4. Adoption applications made through the Adoption Centre.

5. Applications for royal decorations.

6. Travel to work in South Korea through the Department of Overseas Employment under the Ministry of Labour.

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7. First-time driving licence applications.

8. Applications for a certificate of good conduct for travel abroad, or for an English-language certificate of good conduct. These are handled by the Certificate of Good Conduct Service Centre at the Special Branch Bureau, telephone 02-551-1999.

9. Criminal record checks requested by people who are not Thai nationals. Foreign applicants must use fingerprints and include a letter from the relevant organisation supporting the request.

What foreign applicants should prepare

For expats and visitors, the practical point is that a name-based search will not be accepted for criminal record check. A criminal record check can be requested, in some cases, by the relevant authorities, for immigration-related checks, a first Thai driving licence, or police clearance documents required for a visa or job.

Applicants who are required to get a check, should therefore allow time for fingerprinting rather than assuming a criminal record certificate can be obtained through a simple name-and-surname request.

Non-Thai applicants should also check with the organisation asking for the record check - such as an employer, immigration authority or overseas embassy - to ensure they have the required supporting letter.

The announcement does not make any changes to the listed application categories or current agencies procedures, but makes clear that fingerprints are the only accepted checking method in these cases when a criminal check is required.

Picture courtesy of Komchadluek

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21 July 2026

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So does this mean I need to spend weeks jumping through hoops to obtain whatever the <deleted> this actually is in advance of doing a simple one year extension of stay every year?

I wonder if I can do it here in Hua Hin - because if I need to actually go to Bangkok I'm taking a trip and as I have the TE visa I'll just get a new 1 year stamp on return.

If I can do it in Hua Hin then no problem as it's a chore going to BKK for anything.

Edited 10 hours ago10 hr by ukrules

7 minutes ago, ukrules said:

So does this mean I need to spend weeks jumping through hoops to obtain whatever the <deleted> this actually is in advance of doing a simple one year extension of stay every year?

From the OP:

Non-Thai applicants should also check with the organisation asking for the record check - such as an employer, immigration authority or overseas embassy - to ensure they have the required supporting letter.

NB So you would only have to get a check if immigration hands you a proper letter asking for it

Edited 10 hours ago10 hr by JerryM

One more piece of surveillance. Biometrics next...

58 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

One more piece of surveillance. Biometrics next...

Unfortunately blame the Scammers, and people running illegal businesses, people with Mule bank accounts holding scammers cash.

Many times I talked about the difficulties and burdens these groups impose on us.

Unless you are Shady then no worries giving fingerprints.

You all ready gave them to Immigration at the Airport upon arrival.

Has this become a legal requirement yet or will it be the decision of the individual Imm. Office ?

19 minutes ago, NE1 said:

Has this become a legal requirement yet or will it be the decision of the individual Imm. Office ?

It is no more now a legal requirement than it ever was. The only action here is that IF immigration were to request of you via form a criminal report, you would have to supply a fingerprint request and no longer only a name DOB-type. request.

I’m a bit confused – don’t they already have my fingerprints when I enter the country?

First time driving licence, so temporary licence..maybe this will eak out some of the criminals that are here on student and DTV visas

13 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

I’m a bit confused – don’t they already have my fingerprints when I enter the country?

Surely that would depend on when you entered the country?

My last entry was 2018. I wasn't asked for fingerprints than.

I did have to give a thumb print when I applied for my yellow book. That was 2009.

37 minutes ago, baansgr said:

First time driving licence, so temporary licence..maybe this will eak out some of the criminals that are here on student and DTV visas

The article based on the Criminal Records Department (CRD) notes it applies to all requests for a Criminal Records search. Although it includes First-time driving license applications and for Immigration, permission to remain in the kingdom.

The Department of Land Transport (DLT) currently requires a criminal records check only for public transport and commercial driving license. Likewise, Immigration requires it for certain special categories or circumstances, but not for the extensions most Expats use, e.g. retirement, married to a Thai, etc.

IMO, until the DLT and Immigration change their current policies and implement a criminal records check, the requirement for fingerprints will not have any impact on most Expats.

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