1 Dec Launch of Electronic Birth Registration System for Private Hospitals Health Service Support and Civil Registration Departments Link Data to Crack Down on Fake Fathers - Thairath English
The Health Service Support Department collaborates with the Department of Provincial Administration to enforce the use of an electronic birth registration system at over 400 private hospitals starting 1 Dec 2024, aiming to prevent the 'fake father' scheme—where individuals are hired to fraudulently claim Thai nationality for foreign children.
Dr. Phuwadet Surakot, from the Health Service Support Department, revealed that Health Minister Patthana Promphat ordered the department to investigate and legally act against private medical facilities involved in producing false documents to illegitimately secure Thai nationality for children. This issue is a silent threat affecting the country’s economy, society, and security. The department has integrated cooperation with related agencies, including the Department of Provincial Administration and the National Health Security Office, to enhance data verification processes. The Department of Provincial Administration has developed the “Birth Certificate Service System” (https://exservices.bora.dopa.go.th) allowing over 400 private hospitals nationwide to submit birth certification documents (Tor.Ror.1/1) electronically instead of sending paper documents to the registry office. The Health Service Support Department will oversee verification and registration of authorized personnel submitting the Tor.Ror.1/1 documents from private hospitals through this electronic system, set for nationwide implementation on 1 Dec 2024.
Dr. Arkom Praditsuwan, Deputy Director of the Health Service Support Department, stated that submitting the Tor.Ror.1/1 form electronically not only raises standards and improves the accuracy, speed, and transparency of birth certificate issuance but also reduces the risk of document forgery through electronic traceability. To maximize the effectiveness of preventing and eliminating the 'fake father' scheme, the department emphasizes that private hospital staff must monitor for suspicious signs related to parentage, such as foreign mothers lacking basic information about the father, absent fathers, prenatal care locations inconsistent with current residence without valid reasons, or attempts to change the father’s name in medical records after birth registration, and report these immediately to management for investigation.
