Bangkok: Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilapraphan announced plans to amend immigration laws to accelerate deportation processes and alleviate budgetary pressures.
According to Thai News Agency, the Prime Minister has tasked officials with reviewing and revising existing immigration laws and regulations to address the deportation of lawbreakers. The current challenge lies in the inability to deport detainees post-legal proceedings, resulting in human rights concerns and substantial costs related to the upkeep of numerous detainees. The Prime Minister's initiative draws inspiration from similar reforms in the European Union aimed at expediting deportations, with the goal of aligning Thai immigration laws with international standards. This necessitates changes to Sections 54 and 55 of the Immigration Act, which currently require deportees to bear the cost of their detention. The proposed amendments seek to facilitate budget allocations that will expedite deportations and reduce the financial burden of detainee care.
Mr. Pakorn plans to consult with the Royal Thai Police and the Ministry of Interior next week, aiming to propose legislative amendments swiftly. Highlighting the economic benefits, Mr. Pakorn noted that deportation is more cost-effective than prolonged detention followed by deportation, as the latter involves multi-year expenses. Although the exact budget depends on the number of detainees, Mr. Pakorn anticipates a significant number of deportations in the initial year, with a subsequent decrease as immigration controls tighten.