1-7-2023 (BANGKOK) The Interior Ministry of Thailand officially introduced a mobile application on Friday to support its digital ID programme, aiming to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of government services. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over the launch of the “ThaID” mobile app, emphasizing its convenience for citizens in accessing state-run services.
The “ThaID” app, unveiled on March 14, aligns with Thailand 4.0, the country’s strategy for digital transformation. Its release marks an early success in the government’s efforts to develop a robust digital ecosystem.
Prime Minister Prayut expressed his hope that both state agencies and private organizations would adopt the digital ID system to streamline their services. He also called upon media outlets to promote wider usage of the app among the public.
Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda disclosed that the ministry initiated the development of the digital ID programme in October 2020 as part of the national digital framework. Funding was secured in 2022 to implement the system effectively.
Since its public release on May 22, over 3.5 million individuals have registered and begun utilizing the “ThaID” app. Presently, it is supported by 50 state agencies and 24 private agencies.
The digital ID programme is built upon a comprehensive database containing information on 66 million people, including photos and biometric data such as fingerprints. To facilitate online registration and identity verification, the system employs a face verification service (FVS), eliminating the need for physical visits to service locations.
According to Gen Anupong, the digital ID programme will significantly reduce the use of paper and mitigate instances of document forgery within the system.
To utilize “ThaID,” individuals are required to register using their official ID cards, take a self-portrait, and generate an eight-digit PIN for accessing the mobile application. Once successfully registered, users gain access to various services provided by the Interior Ministry.
