Thailand’s drive on fake passports, other forgeries

BANGKOK: -- Thailand plans a tough new law to crack down on fake passports and other forgeries as part of the fight against global terrorism, the European Union’s counterterror chief said Saturday.

“The Thai authorities have informed us of their plans to strengthen the legislation during the upcoming parliamentary session against falsification of official documents,” Gijs de Vries told reporters.

“We have welcomed that intention and expressed the hope that the possession of false documents will be made a crime, so that individuals who are arrested carrying false passports will be treated as the criminals which they are,” he said.

European police consider Thailand a haven for forgery. In the past two years, Thai police have seized more than 1,400 fake passports and arrested 17 foreigners for possessing them.

The European Union wants greater global action against fake passports as part of the broader fight against international crime and terrorism, De Vries said.

Once Thailand passes the law, it could ultimately lead to criminalizing the printing of false documents as well as their possession and use, De Vries added.

He also praised a border cooperation deal between the 25 EU members and 10 Southeast Asian nations, which aims to curb trafficking in arms and people.

The pact takes effect later this year, and includes 4.5 million euros (5.4 million dollars) in EU training assistance to border control agencies in a bid to reduce illegal immigration, trafficking in persons, arms smuggling and maritime piracy.

--AFP 2006-02-06

another crack down

Thailand plans a tough new law to crack down on fake passports and other forgeries

Let’s hope the news correspondent misunderstood and that Thailand does not intend to promulgate a new law but instead just make appropriate changes to the existing law. One does not need a separate law for every conceivable type of forgery.

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Maestro

Will this also affect parliamentarians with fake degrees?

You get fake passport from Cow SAN road!

Also fake international driver licence there

Once Thailand passes the law, it could ultimately lead to criminalizing the printing of false documents as well as their possession and use, De Vries added.

This isn't illegal now??