Questions/Answers

Identification Card is the official document that the government issued to Thai nationals for identification, private and public transactions, and as foundation for other related services and rights. Section 5 of Identification Card Act (Issue 3) B.E. 2554 (2011) stated the importance of Identification Card : “A Thai who has attained seven years of age but not yet completed seventy years of age and whose name appears in a house registration shall acquire a card as required by this Act”. Presently, the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) had developed Public Service System that only requires the identification card as proof of evidence to receive public and private services. The integration of Civil Database and government’s services of 248 government agencies in 309 services has given bed-ridden patients, elders, and handicapped people access to inclusive rights and welfare, including medical services, handicapped aids, subsistence allowance, and other government welfare. The problem of bed-ridden patients, elders, or handicapped person who cannot travel, is a difficulty to go to government offices. They are in need of identification card to access government’s public services. This can be categorized into 2 situations: 1. Person without identification card or own expired card, therefore, incapable of accessing to government’s public services and other transactions 2. In Emergency cases in need of identification card, the relative or caretaker must transport patient to the Registration Office, leading to high travel expenses These had been several complaints that reflect inefficiency and inequity of services. Therefore, DOPA, as the central organization for Identification Card issuance, had initiated Identification Card Mobile Unit for bedridden patients, elders, and handicapped people with immobility to enhance convenient services to bed-ridden patients, elders, and handicapped person as requested. The Mobile Unit operates free of charge in all area with equitable public service delivery.

The Initiative conforms to the first category: delivering inclusive and equitable services for all. Bedridden patients, elders, and handicapped people are marginalized group of people that face difficulties to access identification card issuance service. They cannot travel for requesting identification card at the office. From said problem, targets group do not get identification card or own expired card that affects them to access to their rights, from government and private sectors. In 2016, the finding stated that the targets, there were over 57,377 people who did not have an identification card, which is critical issue that must be addressed urgently.

The identity card delivery service with mobile units for bedridden patients, elders and handicapped people with immobility by the Department of Provincial Administration conforms to Goal 10 (Reduced inequalities within and among countries) in Sustainable Development Goals of United Nations. The objective of Goal 10 is to reduce inequalities, to further the better life quality, and to guarantee that people with differences based on sex, age, disability, race, ethnicity or religion shall have equal opportunities. The Department of Provincial Administration, as the principal institution responsible for missions on national security and for issuance of identity cards, which are official evidences to access the services and rights from the government, has the operational way to reach the objective of Goal 10 by launching the identity card delivery service for the citizens. As a result, people can access the governmental services and rights thoroughly and equally as the initiative follows the principle that no one is left behind.

The Department of Provincial Administration performs the initiative under the integration with the area-based network associate to drive public relations and create awareness to village, communities, and citizens. The department utilizes the operation of the network associate to help reach the data of marginal people who are unable to approach the governmental services, to survey, to report the data so that the identity card delivery service is continuously provided, to follow up the work, and to support people to access the services and rights from the government. Thus, this integration leads to inclusive services and sustainability in all dimensions.

Identification Card issuance is deemed essential in Thai Public Administration and Public service context, as it is the key document to access to public services and other transactions. On this note, the implementation of Identification Card Mobile Unit for bedridden patients, elders, and handicapped people with immobility is the key that open up to essential help and opportunities for bedridden patients, elders, and handicapped person with immobility. This Initiative had led to the alleviation of inequality, acceleration of convenient public services, and enhancement of efficient public services for all.

The target group for this initiative consists of bedridden patients, elders, and handicapped people with immobility. The Initiative of Identification Card Mobile Unit creates social equality in the society, especially for those marginalized. This shows that the government is devoted to provide inclusive and just public services and welfare, reaffirming its vision to leave no one behind. This initiative has prominent results in lessening social inequality, as it ensures that everyone has access to the state’s welfare without restriction.

The target groups of this initiative as followed: - A bedridden patient refers to those who stays in bed for a long period of time - Elders means persons who have attained the age above complete sixty years and are of Thai nationality - Handicapped means persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments There are 2,110,975 people who are bedridden patients, elders, and handicap; however, there are 57,377 people whose do not belong to the ID card yet. Currently, the Department of Provincial Administration has already issues the number of 18,811 ID card to those people which is accounted as 32.8 percentage of accomplishment. Furthermore, Thailand is currently facing the Aging Society since 2005 until now, and is predicted to likely become the Aged Society in 2021. This can be considered that these people would be increased rapidly. The Initiative creates the impact on marginalized group of people by delivering the gate to public services, and state welfare. The performance of said initiative had contributed to inclusive and equal public services, with over 18,811 people receiving their identification card through this program in the past 3 years (2016 - 2019).

Identification Card Mobile Unit for bedridden patients, elders, and handicapped people with immobility has simple procedures and steps. These procedures are done with the idea in mind that people with limited living condition should have easy, convenient, and prompt procedures, as followed. Step 1 : Relative / Caretaker / Applicant submit request query through 2 portals; 1.1 Submit request query to request receiver units across the country for 76 provinces and Bangkok which consist of 878 district offices, 50 district offices in Bangkok, 209 municipality offices, Pattaya City office, and the Bureau of Registration Administration, the Department of Provincial Administration 1.2 Inform service request via Call Center 1548 Step 2 : Receiving units investigate the request and inform service providers to deliver mobile service units at site Step 3 : 77 Service provider units across the country consist of Regional Registration Administration Centers in 76 provinces and the central mobile unit to deliver the identification card delivery service at site. The identification card delivery service helps facilitate target groups, reduces travel expenses, and serves the citizens’ requirement to get valid identification cards. In terms of the initiative monitoring and evaluation, the central agency and Regional Registration Administration Centers supervise, monitor and evaluate the operation to assure that the services are completely delivered to requesting citizens. Besides, the Department of Provincial Administration develops proactive approach method with area-based network associates to survey and find the requirements of target groups to guarantee the service access in this initiative. This results in the cooperation between the public sector, private sector and people in conducting social works to take care the target groups (Social Safety Net).

In the early phrase of Identification Card Mobile Unit for bedridden patients, elders, and handicapped people with immobility Initiative, the Department of Provincial Administration faced difficulty in publicizing and raising awareness of the project in target groups. The Department resolved said problems through governing officers and area-based associations; namely through village headmen, village committees, and village health volunteers, and through provincial administrative mechanism, which disclose information to people in the area and survey for people in need of the service. They would, then, compile the information and report to the government’s section for future visits.

The Identification Card Mobile Unit for bedridden patients, elders, and handicapped people with immobility is a new innovation initiated in B.E 2559 (2016). The Mobile Unit is equipped with mobile Identification Card issuance equipment that is connected to the internet, providing real-time services. The initiative is done in collaboration with the local government agencies, who will also join the operation to listen to people’s concerns and give suggestions in needed area.

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The Department of Provincial Administration, as central agency, has been circulating knowledge and procedures of Identification Card Mobile Unit Initiative to provincial and local registration offices, including Bangkok Registration Office, Regional Registration Offices, Provincial Registration offices, District Registration Offices, and Local Registration Offices. This is done in hope that the initiative, responsible by over 1,000 officers, will be further developed to suit the context of individual area in 878 districts, and service up to 7,500 people per year. The identification card received will bring about inclusive and equal access to public services, rights, state welfare, and ensure that no one is left behind.

The acquisition of Identification Card is a proof of Thai citizenship. When one owns an identification card, the government must issue the personal rights and welfare equally and justly. The integration with other government agencies is also essential. The Department of Local Administration and the Department of Social Development and Human Security works to improve people’s living quality, the Community Development Department aims to support professional career improvement and lifestyles, while, the Thai Red Cross Society gives related social works. All of these agencies need to integrate and collaborate with the Department of Provincial Administration’s information database in both central and provincial level, in order to efficiently accomplish their goals and missions. The Department of Provincial Administration, as leading agency, along with other related government agencies, must collaborate to improve people’s life quality, achieve social equity, and attain sustainable development for marginalized people.

To implement the Identification Card Mobile Unit Initiative for bedridden patients, elders, and handicapped people with immobility, human resource required includes Assistant Chief District officers, officers from Regional Registration Administration Centers, area leaders, village health volunteers, and other related officers. The cost to organize each Mobile Unit is around 10,000 THB (330$ US), which help decrease the financial implications that people must bear when traveling to the government offices. Other equipment are supported by the Regional Registration Administration Centers, including card machine, cameras, and satellite that will be used to connect to the database.

The Identification Card Mobile Unit Initiative for bedridden patients, elders, and handicapped people with immobility is sustainable. The Thai government’s and the Department of Provincial Administration’s policies are focused on giving inclusive and equal public services. Therefore, the Department of Provincial Administration has placed special emphasis on issuing identification card for all, which would give people access to public services and rights. On this note, this initiative is an important project which will not only improve inclusive public service performance, but also decrease financial burden on Thai people.

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The inspection and evaluation performance report consists of information from Bangkok area, District offices in Bangkok, Provincial offices, and Regional Registration Administration Centers, which will be processed and reported to the Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration. The Department of Provincial Administration will receive an annual performance report in each fiscal year. Since Fiscal Year B.E. 2560 (2017) (December B.E.2559 (2016)), there were reports of 2,110,975 people, 57,377 of which did not get a Smart identification card. Currently, 18,811 handicapped people had successfully received identification card, amounted to 32.8 percentage of accomplishment.

Internal Indicator: Percentage of satisfaction of people who receive the service from Identification Card Mobile Unit Initiative for bedridden patients, elders, and handicapped people with immobility, by satisfaction survey External Indicator : Percentage of the increasing linkage with all government’s database through integrative civil database and public service (Linkage Center), which shows that the identification card is fully functional

The project evaluation can be seen as the main finding for the followings: 1) The mobile service which is only 77 units, is yet not on a par with the demand. Furthermore, the budget, task force, and equipment are the main resources of the project since there are a large number of target groups that the service providers have to enhance, strengthen, and mobilize the service excellence and value proposition in order to cover all those people. 2) The challenge on collaboration with the related agencies is another main finding of the evaluation. This means that those groups need to to link all the data and their service products to become “the comprehensive package” delivering to the target group. Consequently, the Bureau of Registration Administration, the Department of Provincial Administration is responsible for managing all the civil database and public service (Linkage Center). This could be viewed as the benefit perspective of being a proactive unit to provide a well-being of people by launching the comprehensive package together with all the level of agencies.

The Identification Card Mobile Unit for bedridden patients, elders, and handicapped people with immobility was initiated by the vision from the Department of Provincial Administration that all citizens have the rights to access the government services and public welfares in which this project is one of the public services that enhances the idea of “Inclusive Service for All”. At first, Internally, the procedures were projected to start with District Offices as key actor to survey problems and needs in the area, along with village headmen, and sub district headmen, Further step, externally, local administrative offices and related organizations as well as Regional Registration Administration Centers would provide needed equipment for identification card issuance. Afterwards, other related government agencies would step in to provide other assistances, including universal health coverage, career building, life quality improvement, in order to follow up on the sustainable work.

There were engagement from the following parties: - Local leader as a surveyor and notification receiver - District Offices survey needs and support to coordinate with Regional Registration Administration Center, Provincial Red Cross Chapter/Red Cross District Branch, Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office, and District Community Development Office to perform relevant tasks. - Regional Registration Administration Center coordinate and make an appointment to issue identity cards at site. - Provincial Red Cross Chapter/Red Cross District Branch support social works. - Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office perform tasks on social welfare. - District Community Development Office promote occupations and profits. - Local people and local charitable organizations Moreover, the Department of Provincial Administration has Subdistrict Headman and Village Headman to monitor and examine performance results and to be coordinators for the service approach. This causes reduced inequalities, guarantees that people with differences based on sex, age, disability, race, ethnicity or religion shall have equal opportunities, and promotes better life quality by leaving no one behind.

The first key lesson learned is a huge number of target groups. There were 57,377 people who did not get the ID card, which the providers already issued 18,811 ID cards or 32.8 percent in total. Since 2016, DOPA is capable of providing the service to the target group by 7,500 cards yearly, so that according to this number, this might take 7-year long to cover all targets. Furthermore, as of 2021, there is a prediction that Thailand would become aged society in which a number of target people would increase significantly. This can be viewed that the providers have to initiate the action plan as mechanism to those in need in the future. The last point refers to the quality of implementation for sustainability. In terms of building on the sustainable initiative, the Department of Provincial Administration launches a sustainable impact guideline by developing the tracking system to make notification alerts to service providers. Shortly thereafter, the providers deliver the service to the citizens before or at the due date time they are supposed to be served. Also, cooperating to all the stakeholders, this will guarantee inclusive service access to public services and welfare without leaving anyone behind.