BANGKOK: Want to live in Thailand? No problem, say Thai authorities. Just be prepared to reveal your social media habits, bank account information and the restaurants and night clubs where you hang out.

Thai authorities are now asking — but not requiring — expatriates to fill out an elaborate form that asks a variety of personal information in the name of national security and crime prevention.

Police Major General Chatchawan Wachirapaneekhun, an official at the Immigration Bureau, said Wednesday that an increase in the country's foreign population has led to more crimes by foreigners and the questionnaire helps maintain a database.

He says the effort was a police initiative and not by the military-ruled government, which has been criticized for cracking down on civil liberties in Thailand.