Health Officials Investigate Five Hospitals in Fake Birth Certificate Scheme
Authorities are investigating five hospitals over a scheme where officials and staff sold fake birth certificates to register foreign children as Thai citizens for about 90,000 baht each. The investigation will determine whether hospital ma
The Department of Health Service Support will send officers to investigate five hospitals within the next week in connection with a false birth certificate scheme for foreign nationals, officials said on July 12. Deputy Secretary-General of Health Service Support Dr. Akm Praditsuwon revealed details of the case, which involves charges against district officials and hospital staff. Authorities obtained 40 arrest warrants and 42 search warrants targeting individuals accused of selling packages to register foreign children as Thai citizens for about 90,000 baht each.
Dr. Akm explained that prosecutions will proceed on two fronts. Hospital staff members who falsify medical records—including patient files, financial documents, or OPD cards—face penalties of up to two years imprisonment and/or fines not exceeding 40,000 baht under the Hospital Act. False birth certificate documentation by officials falls under the Civil Registration Act, enforced by the Ministry of Interior.
The investigation will examine all issued documents and determine the scope of the scheme. Officials will assess whether hospital operators and management were involved or whether misconduct was limited to individual employees. Dr. Akm stressed that if evidence shows intentional direction by management causing harm, the case would be treated as a national security threat warranting additional penalties. Historical document audits will establish how many false registrations occurred.
