This research investigated the formation of citizenship and non-citizenship or “the alien other”, which is a changing and contradictory process through the mechanism of identity card production system. This research project also examined the history of identity inscription of individuals by the state in various periods as well as the results of different citizenship formations. The research pointed to the fact that the logic of governing by paper varied according to labor needs and a desire for national security during the Cold War. This official document was intended to create a political border to separate the Thais from non-Thais. In a neo-laissez-faire approach, this official paper functions as a control entity for transnational migrants to respond to the growing need of border industries, instead of creating orderliness in the border areas.
This chaotic system, which was created, discriminated and often exploited, has contributed to a confusing nominal border and disorderliness. The identity card has revived an informal economic loophole for extortion, tribute, bribery, and it functions as a brokerage system. Attempts to understand this rather confusing identity card issuance system and the negotiation to streamline the process of issuing such documents are essential to the survival and the mobility of transnational laborers in Thai border areas.