Authorities have made additional arrests of 'fictitious fathers'; police have detained suspects and opposed bail, while intensifying efforts to apprehend all 35 individuals wanted for prosecution.
In the ongoing investigation into a Chinese network hiring Thai men as fictitious fathers, detectives at Bang Yi Ruea Police Station on the afternoon of 11 Jul brought in a Chinese family — Mr. Chen Runxin (father), Ms. Xiaochun Ma (mother), and their son — along with Mr. Chatchawan Srisamutnak, who signed as the child guarantor, for further questioning. Thai relatives of the Chinese family and Mr. Chatchawan's partner assisted communication with authorities.
Mr. Chatchawan's partner said the case arose when her sister-in-law, who has relatives in the Chinese family, asked Mr. Chatchawan to sign as the child's guarantor to help the child enroll in school. Out of sympathy, Mr. Chatchawan agreed, emphasizing that there was no marriage registration, only child endorsement, and that he received no payment, unlike other suspects accused of participating in the fictitious father scheme.
When asked why her sister-in-law's boyfriend (Mr. Chatchawan's brother) did not sign as guarantor instead, Mr. Chatchawan's partner said she was unaware of the details since she was at work and absent during the signing. She also did not know which hospital processed the paperwork or when it occurred.
After questioning, authorities placed Mr. Chen Runxin, Ms. Xiaochun Ma, and Mr. Chatchawan in custody awaiting detention submission to the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases on Monday. Although the Chinese family's relatives and Mr. Chatchawan wish to request bail, investigators opposed it and advised filing for bail directly with the court during detention proceedings.
Meanwhile, authorities also detained Mr. But Boonbannlu, 60, one of the fictitious fathers, for questioning. Mr. But briefly explained that he signed the child endorsement because 'I didn’t know; my boss told me to sign.' He was then placed in custody. Efforts continue to arrest and question other suspects.
Investigators reported that they are actively pursuing suspects named in the 35 arrest warrants the court approved on 10 Jul. No new warrants were requested that day. Some suspects remain at large, and police are intensifying efforts to capture them using existing warrants.