Officials Arrested for Selling Fake ID Cards to Myanmar Migrants

On August 4, 2025, Deputy Police Commissioner Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma led a multi-agency operation called "Dismantling Fake 10-Year Cards" in Mae Sod District, Tak Province, to bust a corruption network issuing zero-status identity cards (unregistered ID cards) to Myanmar nationals. The operation raided 25 locations and arrested 17 suspects: three government officials, two sponsors or guarantors, and 12 Myanmar nationals using fraudulent identities.

Duputy Commissioner Samran explained that the National Police and the special task force against registry security threats (DOPA N.I.C.E.) under the Department of Local Administration received reports of registry officials in the area colluding with brokers to illegally issue zero-status cards to Myanmar workers. When fingerprints were cross-checked against immigration databases, at least 12 offenders were clearly identified, all already holding Myanmar passports.

The investigation revealed a coordinated network linked to Mae Sod District Registry Office, possibly involving foreign laborers from Mae Sod and other provinces obtaining zero-status ID cards—a scheme known as "labor laundering." Investigators found that government officials involved had issued more than 700 such cards, with fees ranging from 40,000 to 100,000 baht per person.

The National Police clarified that Thailand has lawful channels for foreigners wishing to reside, work, do business, or apply for Thai citizenship, and stressed they will continue investigations and prosecutions to protect the civil registration system and national security. The government seeks transparent and verifiable coexistence, not to bar qualified foreign nationals but to prevent exploitation of registry loopholes or state resources for illegal purposes. Suspicious activity can be reported to local police stations or the 24-hour hotline 1599.