Police Bust Fake Fatherhood Scheme Affecting Nearly 1,500 Foreign Children
Thai police dismantled a "fake father" scheme that fraudulently granted Thai citizenship to nearly 1,500 foreign children through false paternity claims, arresting four suspects including two Chinese parents and two Thai men acting as nomin
Police announced on July 24 at Huai Kwang Station that they had dismantled a "fake Thai father" scheme in which foreign children were fraudulently granted Thai citizenship through false paternity claims. The operation resulted in the arrest of four suspects: two Chinese parents and two Thai men acting as nominal fathers. National Administrative Development Commission Secretary-General Narucha Kosaksivaliset, Deputy National Police Commander Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma, and Deputy Director of Health Support Services Akom Praditsuwan led the press briefing following the raids, which included a private hospital.
Narucha revealed that the investigation began after discovering irregularities in civil registration databases, particularly cases where children born to Chinese mothers were registered with Thai fathers. Deeper investigation confirmed that men were using false identities to provide paternity affidavits for children whose biological fathers were foreign nationals. Evidence was gathered, an investigation was conducted, and operations expanded, ultimately leading to today's raids and arrests.
The administration commander stated that the "fake father" problem has been a persistent social issue. He instructed all relevant agencies—government bodies, civil registration offices, and hospital personnel—to strictly follow proper procedures and the law, and to refuse assistance to any illegal activities. Officials involved in such schemes would face disciplinary action up to dismissal and criminal prosecution under statutes carrying harsher penalties for public servants. Officials also pledged to coordinate with the Ministry of Public Health regarding private hospital staff implicated in the scheme.
Deputy National Police Commander Samran reported that suppression of the scheme has been ongoing. In a previous operation on July 9, authorities executed 35 arrest warrants. Today's operation, which expanded from leads and public tips, has identified 1,483 children with suspicious records in Bangkok. Of these, two children's cases have been processed, leading to today's four arrests. Authorities plan to verify all suspicious cases and revoke Thai nationality for any children unlawfully granted citizenship.
