Operation Celestial Child Uncovered: 66 Forged Birth Certificates Found, Government Officials Targeted for Arrest

Witthurut Sirinukul, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Local Administration, revealed progress in an investigation into illegal birth certificate operations under Operation Celestial Child. Initially, approximately 13 officials from the Central Criminal Investigation Bureau and Technology Crime Investigation Division were implicated. The investigation expanded to include Pho Thung Subdistrict Municipality and central personnel from the Department of Local Administration. Database checks of civil registration records identified over 50 involved parties, potentially reaching 66 suspects and discovering 4 phantom houses, though official confirmation remains pending pending deeper investigation. The fraudulent activities were found to have occurred continuously over an extended period. The main suspect, a former district administrator, previously worked in four districts in Nakhon Ratchasima province: Huai Thaluang, Muang Nakhon Ratchasima, Si Khio, and Phrathai. During his tenure, he allegedly committed similar offenses across all four districts, resulting in multiple false birth registrations and civil record modifications. Investigators also found connections to four phantom houses in Huai Thaluang District. Although some suspects deny involvement, courts have approved arrest warrants. Immigration officials intercepted several suspects on the watchlist attempting to leave the country through Suvarnabhumi Airport. Additional arrest operations in Nakhon Ratchasima are expected soon, with warrants pending for multiple conspirators.