Officials Arrested In Illegal ID Card Scheme For Myanmar Workers
Authorities arrested a district officer in Suratthani Province for illegally issuing ID cards to Myanmar migrant workers as part of Operation Closing Shadow, a crackdown on corrupt officials facilitating human trafficking.
On July 3, 2025, at the Suratthani Provincial Police Headquarters, high-ranking officials including the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Provincial Administration, Deputy National Police Commander, and the National Anti-Money Laundering Committee announced Operation Closing Shadow to crack down on corrupt officials issuing illegal identification cards to Myanmar migrant workers.
The investigation originated from immigration police arrests of human trafficking brokers in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province on September 24, 2024. Investigators discovered suspects carrying dual identity documents: Myanmar nationality cards (pink ID #00) and registration-status-free cards (white ID #0). The Department of Provincial Administration's task force uncovered that a district officer in Don Sak, Suratthani Province, issued approximately 240 unauthorized registration-free cards between 2021-2022.
After coordinating with the National Police transnational crime suppression center, officials matched 12 individuals' fingerprints and facial features to legitimate Myanmar passport holders. Authorities filed charges against the corrupt official, brokers, landlords, and at least 12 Myanmar workers, resulting in 17 arrest warrants.
The Department of Provincial Administration has immediately revoked all 12 suspect records, suspended registry activities for all 240 cases, and placed the implicated official on administrative leave pending serious disciplinary investigation. The Anti-Money Laundering Office will investigate financial trails and seize assets.
The Permanent Secretary pledged continuous investigation and vowed decisive action—both disciplinary and criminal—against any implicated officials, with immediate administrative suspension. He stated the department will not protect wrongdoers and will ensure all violators face maximum legal penalties.
