Bangkok: The government is upgrading the "Civil Registration" system to a primary checkpoint for combating fraudulent registration lists and nominee accounts, and has opened the DOPA NICE Center to receive tips via the hotline 1548.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Lalida Periswiwatana, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, prioritizes crime prevention at its source. The Department of Provincial Administration has opened the DOPA NICE Center to serve as a central hub for integrating verification, data analysis, investigation, and coordination of operations related to fraud in civil registration and nationality. A hotline, 1548, has also been opened to receive tips and information in order to protect citizens' rights and strengthen national security.
The deputy spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office stated that irregularities in civil registration do not only affect the issuance of identity documents, but can also be used as the source of various crimes, such as identity theft, stateless person fraud, opening fake accounts, money laundering, human trafficking, property ownership, or conducting business as nominees. All of these impact national security, the economic system, and the rights of the people. Therefore, the government is stepping up preventative measures at the source to prevent registration irregularities from escalating into economic crimes and transnational crimes.
Ms. Lalida stated that the DOPA NICE Center will serve as a central mechanism for directing, analyzing data, investigating, and coordinating work with agencies in the justice system and partner networks nationwide. It will also elevate the standards of registration verification to a consistent approach across the country, and utilize forensic technology and methods, such as DNA testing, when necessary, in order to increase the accuracy, transparency, and reliability of Thailand's civil registration system.
The Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister added that the center's operations are in line with the Prime Minister's policy, which emphasizes that all agencies must perform their duties with integrity under the principle of "keeping names confidential, focusing on behavior," prioritizing conduct and evidence over individuals or their status, in order to ensure fair, transparent, and effective law enforcement.
Citizens who discover irregularities or have information about identity theft in registration can report it through the hotline 1548 (Registration and ID Card Information Center), the hotline 1567 (Ministry of Interior's Damrongtham Center), and the online channels of the Department of Provincial Administration and partner agencies. Information can be reported anonymously, and the Department of Provincial Administration will keep the informant's information confidential for security and to enhance the efficiency of legal proceedings. "The government is committed to upgrading registration security because accurate civil registration data is a crucial foundation for protecting citizens' rights and is the first line of defense against various forms of crime, from identity theft and nominee accounts to transnational crime. The opening of the DOPA NICE Center is therefore another important step in closing loopholes at the source, coupled with rigorous law enforcement, to build public confidence and maintain nation al security," said Ms. Lalida.