The cabinet on Wednesday approved in principle a draft announcement proposed by the Royal Thai Police on the screening of foreigners who apply for “protected person status”, deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisoranakul said.
Ms Traisuree said the draft announcement contains criteria, methods and conditions for the screening of applicants for protected status.
Under the proposed announcement, applicants must not hold Thai nationality and not have been granted residency in Thailand.
Those eligible to apply must be aliens who have entered or stayed in the country and are unable to or do not want to voluntarily return to their home country, as well as stateless persons who are unable to or do not want to voluntarily return to the countries where they had previously stayed. They must have credible reason and evidence to show that returning could place their life in danger.
Applicants must also get security clearance from the foreign affairs office of the Royal Thai Police Office – including any past criminal record, activities which may affect national security and whether they are wanted under arrest warrants.
The applicants must also submit a medical certificate to show that they are not carriers of diseases set down in a ministerial regulation, she said.
The draft announcement will be forwarded to the Social Development and Human Security Ministry for consideration.