The Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (OPAC), Department of Special Investigation (DSI), and Department of Provincial Administration raided a nationality fraud ring in Chiang Dao District, arresting six government and municipal officials. The investigation revealed district clerks involved in issuing false identity cards and forged documents granting foreigners permanent residence and Thai nationality rights. The relevant authorities have ordered the suspension of the implicated district clerks.
At 10:00 a.m. on 22 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pangkaew, Deputy Commander of the Crime Suppression Division, Pol Maj Gen Prasong Chalermpan, Commander of OPAC, and Pol Col Phaskorn Naphachot, Chief of OPAC Division 4, coordinated with officials from the NACC, OPAC, DSI, and Department of Provincial Administration to conduct multiple raids in Chiang Mai Province. The operation aimed to expand the crackdown on corrupt government officials involved in issuing permanent residence certificates and Thai nationality to foreigners.
From the operation, authorities arrested six suspects: Mr. Theerawat Suksri and Mr. Wiset Pongnok, both district clerks in Chiang Mai Province, along with Ms. Suwanan Worathongchai, Ms. Netnapa Khueanphet, Ms. Rungarun Sawahwai, and Ms. Pornpatchar Thanakan—all municipal officials in Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai Province.
All suspects were arrested under warrants issued by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, Region 5, numbers 1–6/2026 dated 20 Jan 2026 GMT+7, on charges of "joint misconduct or neglect of official duties, certifying false documents, and jointly making, using, or supporting the use of false civil registration evidence unlawfully."
This arrest follows an operation in late Nov 2025 GMT+7 when police collaborated with the Department of Provincial Administration to detain the district chief of Wiang Haeng District, Chiang Mai Province, and associates for corruption involving extortion related to Thai nationality applications and stateless person status within Chiang Mai.
Subsequent investigations uncovered additional irregularities concerning applications for birth certificates at the local registry office of Thung Khao Phuang Municipality, Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai Province.
Inspection revealed that birth certificates (form T.R.20/1) dated 15 Aug 2025 GMT+7 and related documents (form P.K.14) dated 14 Aug 2025 GMT+7 bore signatures of Mr. Theerawat and Mr. Wiset, the two district clerks, who had certified these documents.
Authorities collected evidence and obtained arrest warrants for six individuals involved, ultimately leading to their arrests.
Officials will conduct detailed investigations to identify additional accomplices and examine other potentially fraudulent civil registration documents to ensure rigorous legal action and prevent future corruption in the civil registry system.
Reports indicate that Mr. Theerawat is a former assistant registrar at Muang Na Municipality's local registry office. Investigations found numerous suspicious civil registration and identity card cases linked to his tenure. Officials seized relevant documents and found evidence suggesting labor trafficking and fraudulent nationality grants to foreigners. Further document seizures occurred at Muang Na's registry office. If violations are confirmed, the Department of Provincial Administration will file formal complaints and prosecute all responsible parties to the fullest extent.
Mr. Witthun Sirinukul, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, stated that the "Chiang Dao Fog Clearing Operation" followed the earlier "Wiang Haeng Fog Clearing Operation," where a suspect named Mr. Anuchit had registered in Wiang Haeng but obtained an ID in Chiang Dao. The department's investigative team uncovered a scheme involving foreigners receiving fraudulent documents in Chiang Dao, similar to Wiang Haeng. Biometric checks by central police found Chinese nationals fraudulently holding Thai, Vietnamese, and Cambodian identities. Five agencies collaborated on today's operation, executing six arrest warrants; one suspect had already resigned from government service.
Mr. Witthun added that one suspect is a Chinese national evading Chinese police and subject to an international arrest warrant who obtained documents in Chiang Dao. This case raises concerns that the Department of Provincial Administration might be seen as either enabling or threatening national security, which is unacceptable. The initial investigation center was Chiang Dao.
He said, "The Prime Minister is aware and has instructed through the Permanent Secretary and the Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration that operations must be conducted nationwide to resolve this problem and prevent recurrence."
Initially, the two district clerks implicated have been suspended from duty by order of Chiang Mai Province, their employing agency.
Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat praised the continuous work of the Department of Provincial Administration and the Ministry of Interior, stating that the Prime Minister's order following the Wiang Haeng operation connected these offenses, which pose a security threat. The department's ongoing investigation into corrupt officials is commendable and beneficial. Related agencies support these efforts. Several suspects linked to Chinese nationals have warrants issued. This is a security risk, and efforts must continue to break this corrupt cycle.