Thailand Launches Biometric ID System to Support Undocumented Migrant Health
New iris and facial recognition system aims to integrate over one million undocumented migrants into public health services
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has formalised cooperation to deploy biometric identification technology to help undocumented migrants access healthcare and humanitarian support.
A memorandum signed on September 4, 2025, marks the operational launch of the Thai Red Cross Biometric Authentication System (TRCBAS), developed with the Thai Red Cross Society and the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA).
The system records iris and facial data to create a unique, verifiable identity for individuals who lack official documents—such as migrant workers, ethnic minorities and those fleeing regional conflicts.
As of July 2025, there were an estimated 2.22 million migrant workers in Thailand, of whom more than one million had no legal documentation.
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin underscored that previously, undocumented individuals were routinely excluded from immunisation drives, medical treatment and disaster relief efforts, because they could not be matched to health databases.
The TRCBAS addresses that gap by securely registering biometric data and integrating it into Thailand’s healthcare infrastructure to improve disease surveillance, prevention and control.
Further developed by NECTEC researchers, the system boasts high accuracy and resilience to forgery, with both facial and iris recognition components.
Initial deployments have been made in urban disease control offices, public hospitals in provinces such as Samut Sakhon, Tak and Mae Hong Son, and private clinics serving migrant communities.
More than 200,000 individuals are already enrolled, with a reported processing accuracy of 99.75%.
The system builds upon earlier pilot programmes, which began in 2023 in provinces like Ratchaburi, Samut Sakhon and Tak, where iris recognition followed initial simpl e facial scans to improve precision.
Those programmes helped identify thousands of migrants eligible for healthcare aid.
The current deployment extends TRCBAS nationwide, backed by clear data governance practices.
By including undocumented individuals into formal health networks, Thailand aims to enhance its ability to manage public health risks, promote equity in service delivery, and uphold humanitarian standards.
A memorandum signed on September 4, 2025, marks the operational launch of the Thai Red Cross Biometric Authentication System (TRCBAS), developed with the Thai Red Cross Society and the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA).
The system records iris and facial data to create a unique, verifiable identity for individuals who lack official documents—such as migrant workers, ethnic minorities and those fleeing regional conflicts.
As of July 2025, there were an estimated 2.22 million migrant workers in Thailand, of whom more than one million had no legal documentation.
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin underscored that previously, undocumented individuals were routinely excluded from immunisation drives, medical treatment and disaster relief efforts, because they could not be matched to health databases.
The TRCBAS addresses that gap by securely registering biometric data and integrating it into Thailand’s healthcare infrastructure to improve disease surveillance, prevention and control.
Further developed by NECTEC researchers, the system boasts high accuracy and resilience to forgery, with both facial and iris recognition components.
Initial deployments have been made in urban disease control offices, public hospitals in provinces such as Samut Sakhon, Tak and Mae Hong Son, and private clinics serving migrant communities.
More than 200,000 individuals are already enrolled, with a reported processing accuracy of 99.75%.
The system builds upon earlier pilot programmes, which began in 2023 in provinces like Ratchaburi, Samut Sakhon and Tak, where iris recognition followed initial simpl e facial scans to improve precision.
Those programmes helped identify thousands of migrants eligible for healthcare aid.
The current deployment extends TRCBAS nationwide, backed by clear data governance practices.
By including undocumented individuals into formal health networks, Thailand aims to enhance its ability to manage public health risks, promote equity in service delivery, and uphold humanitarian standards.
