The Immigration Bureau did not collect the biometric data of approximately 17 million travelers entering and exiting Thailand last year due to the system reaching its full capacity, stated Rangsiman Rome, the deputy leader of the People’s Party.
On a Facebook post on Friday, Rangsiman Rome wrote, “Thailand currently does not utilize the biometric system for border control security. This lack of data collection poses a significant risk of criminals re-entering the country.”
“Throughout the entire year of 2024 and up to today, there has been no actual collection of biometric data.”
“What is being collected is merely photographs of facial images and fingerprint photos, not true biometrics,” added Mr. Rangsiman, the chair of the House Committee on National Security, Border Affairs, National Strategy, and Reform.
Since the previous license for the system expired, approximately 17 million individuals have entered and left Thailand without having their biometric details documented.
He revealed that it could take as long as 29 months for the Immigration Bureau to implement a new system, as the procurement process has not yet started.
The politician emphasized that the issue is largely unknown among many, including immigration officers.
During discussions held on seven different occasions with the National Security Committee, Mr. Rangsiman disclosed that no significant actions have been taken by the authorities.
He described the situation as a critical failure of the police organization, suggesting that this loophole is a likely reason why transnational criminal groups continue to find refuge in Thailand and are difficult to expel due to governmental inefficiency.
Pol Col Neti Khanboon, who leads the database division at the bureau’s IT center, acknowledged the full capacity of the system while testifying before Mr. Rangsiman’s committee on Thursday.
He explained that the existing biometric system is designed to handle personal identity data for up to 50 million individuals, but expanding this capacity would require a significant budget increase, with plans underway to develop a new system funded by 3 billion baht.
Currently, the collection of personal identity data relies on facial and fingerprint images along with written records. In 2024, this method resulted in 17 million travelers lacking biometric records, he confirmed.
He admitted the limited capacity of the biometric system poses a significant vulnerability.
The system, procured in 2019 for 2.1 billion baht, has been publicly criticized by Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, a well-known officer who was dismissed from the force the previous year.
Pol Gen Surachate was reportedly targeted by gunmen in 2020, who shot his car with seven bullets while parked on Surawong Road in Bangkok, an incident he claims was connected to the controversies surrounding the procurement of the biometric system.
The case remains unresolved, with a senior officer being dismissed following the leak of a recording where a superior instructed him not to continue the investigation.
In July 2023, reports indicated that the National Anti-Corruption Commission was preparing to file charges against former national police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda and three other senior officers over issues related to the system’s procurement, though there has been no further progress in the case.
