It's a crime: Foreigners marrying Thais now subject to fingerprints taken for criminal background

[rooster59 17,823]

It's a crime: Foreigners marrying Thais now subject to fingerprints taken for criminal background 

Shela Riva

 

A criminal record may be cited as a reason to refuse your marriage registration. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot
 

PHUKET: Officials in charge of registering marriages in Phuket have confirmed that they have begun scanning fingerprints of all foreign men who register to marry a Thai woman so that they can have criminal background checks conducted.

 

The regulation change, which was issued by the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) head office in Bangkok in Aug 2017, was revealed this week after a foreigner contacted The Phuket News asking for clarification on why he was required to have a criminal history check so he could marry his Thai fiancée.

 

“Specifically they are making farang (foreigners) who are marrying Thai get a criminal record check and a personality profile check to make sure farang are not marrying just to get a marriage visa,” the expat wrote.

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/it-a-crime-foreigners-marrying-thais-now-subject-to-fingerprints-taken-for-criminal-background-66094.php#ybXQRj8mZ3zSYMjr.97

 

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2018-02-24

 

[richard_smith237 26,039]

Can't see what the big deal is here.... 

 

Non-EU Nationals have their fingerprints scanned when entering the UK.

 

The criminal history check is also a good idea given the recent news and reputation Thailand has as a place for criminals to live. Thailand has every right to protect its citizens for marrying those who may have criminal records or at least ensure that this information is known to the marrying party. 

[Maverell 1,171]

It is a good idea for farang wanting to marry to have a background check, but it should also happen in reverse ?

[cornishcarlos 23,476]

6 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Can't see what the big deal is here.... 

 

Non-EU Nationals have their fingerprints scanned when entering the UK.

 

The criminal history check is also a good idea given the recent news and reputation Thailand has as a place for criminals to live. Thailand has every right to protect its citizens for marrying those who may have criminal records or at least ensure that this information is known to the marrying party. 

 

The Thai authorities can't even track their own high profile criminals, so what makes them think they will be able to find any info about the average geezer wanting to get married !!!

[Crossy 27,013]

In reality it's a non-issue, unless you've been a bad doggie in Thailand, from the linked article:-

 

Quote

“The police are the ones who conduct the checks. They can only check for criminal records within Thailand, it is not possible to check for records in other countries,” he said

 

[petermik 17,027]

That,s it then.....the weddings off 

[colinneil 74,025]

Good job i am not planning to get married again. 

[trainman34014 15,084]

Next up...Eye Scanning, DNA Samples, Wallet Searches Et al !

[hansnl 5,926]

1 hour ago, Maverell said:

It is a good idea for farang wanting to marry to have a background check, but it should also happen in reverse ?

No, of course not.

Thai are all squeeky clean.

[hangdonger 274]

Personality profile?

[Reigntax 11,227]

38 minutes ago, trainman34014 said:

Next up...Eye Scanning, DNA Samples, Wallet Searches Et al !

No. Just bank account checks !

[grumbleweed 4,272]

What about a sanity check and a check for the brides pseudo brother?

[bkkcanuck8 3,177]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Can't see what the big deal is here.... 

 

Non-EU Nationals have their fingerprints scanned when entering the UK.

 

The criminal history check is also a good idea given the recent news and reputation Thailand has as a place for criminals to live. Thailand has every right to protect its citizens for marrying those who may have criminal records or at least ensure that this information is known to the marrying party. 

The issue is the reason stated for the criminal record check -- is the responsibility of the immigration department with regards to issuing a fiancé / marriage visa -- not some two bit local provincial administrative department.  You do not get the right to reside here because of marriage, only that that is one avenue to apply for a visa ... but visas can always be denied to people that the government deems not worthy.   As such the regulation change is just racist or xenophobic if they are requiring the check only on the foreigner (for permission to get married).   

[saakura 4,796]

45 minutes ago, trainman34014 said:

Next up...Eye Scanning, DNA Samples, Wallet Searches Et al !

In the US, they would do a cavity search.

[dotpoom 8,185]

"get a criminal record check and a personality profile check"

  Not sure what the latter is.....but a lot of guys I have come accross since coming to Thailand may have bigger problems with that one more than the first one.555