BANGKOK: Government spokesman Mr. Jirayu Huangsap has clarified misconceptions about the citizenship process for immigrants in Thailand, addressing concerns that applicants need to have resided in the country for over 50 years.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Jirayu, who also serves as an advisor to the Prime Minister, spoke on the program ‘Singing from the Heart of Thai Khu Fa’ on the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand. He discussed the recent cabinet approval of Thai nationality for underrepresented groups, stating that historically, various immigrants, including those from China, Saigon, and India, settled in Thailand 50-60 years ago and have since applied for nationality.

The issue has been raised by the National Security Council (NSC) to streamline the process for the large number of immigrants who have been waiting for citizenship. Currently, immigrants and their descendants are divided into two groups. The first group comprises over 350,000 people with residence certificates who have been
part of the naturalization process but have not yet received citizenship. This group will not have political rights upon receiving citizenship, meaning they cannot vote or run for political office.

The second group consists of the descendants of these immigrants, numbering more than 100,000 people. These individuals were born in Thailand and have been gradually granted citizenship, a process ongoing since 1992. Currently, about 10,000 people receive citizenship each year, and at this rate, it would take 44 years to complete the process for all eligible individuals.

Mr. Jirayu emphasized that the measures aim to address delays and ensure that politics do not interfere with the process. He reassured the public that thorough checks on registration history will prevent ineligible individuals from acquiring citizenship fraudulently.