Id Cards For Children

[Atmos]

From forum thread 2011-05-23

Strict scrutiny of ID cards for children

By The Nation on Sunday

The governor of Ranong, Wanchart Wongchaichana, said yesterday he had ordered state officials in every district to strictly screen children who would be issued ID cards, following the new identification card act, to prevent the issue of Thai ID cards to aliens.

The third act will take effect in July, when children aged 7-14 years old will be issued ID cards. Currently, only citizens aged 15 years and over are issued ID cards.

Wanchart said as there were many immigrant workers in Ranong, many of them wanted to acquire the ID cards. A top official in the province was fired after he helped Rohingya and Burmese people acquire the type of ID cards issued to stateless Thais and sea gypsies.

"This case proves that some officials try to abuse authority for their own benefit. To prevent it from happening again, I will punish any officials engaged in wrongdoing," he added.

and

from forum thread 7 July 2011

ID cards for children issued from July 10

By The Nation

Authorities are preparing to visit schools from next week to issue national identification cards for children aged between seven and 14 years old there.

"Such preparations are included in our implementation plans," Department of Provincial Administration (DPA) deputy director-general Niran Kanlayanamit said yesterday.

Starting from July 10, district offices will also issue national identification cards for children. The move is in response to the 2011 National Identification Card Act, which requires that Thais aged between seven and 70 years carry the cards.

Of the Thai population, about 8 million are between seven and 14 years old. Before this act takes effect, only Thais above 15 years old age were required to carry national ID cards.

"It will be easier for children to access government services. They can just produce their national identification cards alone. No need to carry birth certificates and household registrations," Niran said, "It will also lower the risk of Thai children's identity being stolen by alien children".

-- The Nation 2011-07-07

[Atmos]

I personally have no objection to the issuing of these ID cards - though can imagine there'll be quite a business generated in issuing lost cards, and the requirement to carry them - at all times?

One more piece of info to fill out when taking children on domestic flights . . . and from then on every document involving a child.

As they are going to be very careful in not issuing them to 'aliens', I presume there be no problems for children of mixed relationships as long as a Thai birth cert is available to prove child is a Thai citizen.

8 million cards to issue; no timeframe given.

Maybe it will go well, the logistics of getting to all the isolated rural areas and rounding up the kids are frightening.

Watch this space!!

[Kilgore Trout]

And what will happen if a child doesn't carry his/her id card with them?

I know very few 7-12 year olds responsible enough to keep track of an id card.

Seems like another typical scheme with no thought put into it; TIT

[webfact]

topic runs in Thailand News

ID cards for Thai children issued from July 10

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