Police Bust Migrant Labor Trafficking Ring, Arrest 26

On September 17, Deputy Police Commissioner Samran Nualma, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Nopsil Poolswadi and Deputy Commissioner Pithak Udaithum, led an integrated police operation involving the Department of Provincial Administration, the Department of Special Investigation, and related agencies to conduct "Shut Down the Shadow 2" in Surat Thani province. The operation targeted networks that illegally arranged for foreign workers to obtain identity cards without proper registration status, known as "zero registration."

Deputy Commissioner Samran explained that the operation was an expansion of the initial "Shut Down the Shadow" operation on July 4 in Don Sak district. After receiving additional leads and conducting inspections at registry offices in Kanchanadit and Ko Samui, authorities identified irregularities linked to an organized network. Investigators found that many foreign nationals held Myanmar passports or had previous records as registered migrant workers but were still issued zero registration documents, which should only be used for individuals without any prior registration history.

Officials discovered connections between labor brokers, local sponsors, witness guarantors, and registry officials accused of facilitating the scheme. The pattern constituted labor trafficking, converting migrant worker status into false civilian registration that could lead to unwarranted rights and future citizenship verification. Police obtained court warrants for 33 suspects: four government officials, ten local sponsors and witnesses, and nineteen foreign workers. Of these, 26 have been arrested—two government officials, nine sponsors and witnesses, and fifteen foreign workers. Seven suspects remain at large and are being pursued.

Anomalies discovered at registry offices in Kanchanadit and Ko Samui appear linked and may involve foreign workers from Surat Thani and other provinces being illegally entered into zero registration systems. Authorities are expanding investigations to include all brokers, officials, and involved parties. The National Police Office confirmed it will work with relevant agencies to close registry system loopholes and prevent misuse by criminals, while emphasizing that foreigners may legally reside, work, do business, or pursue citizenship through proper channels. However, the police will not tolerate fake documents, nominees, or registry fraud used to claim illegitimate rights. The public can report suspected registration fraud, payment extraction, or fraudulently obtained documents to any police station or the 24-hour hotline 1599.