Police Deputy Commissioner Pol Gen Samran Nualma ordered Pol Lt Gen Nopphasin Poonsawat to coordinate with administrative authorities to raid 25 locations targeting a corrupt network issuing 'zero-status' ID cards, arresting the Assistant Registrar of Mae Sot. The operation uncovered fees of 40,000 to 100,000 baht per person, with over 700 cards issued so far.
On 4 Aug 2021 GMT+7, Pol Gen Samran Nualma, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, along with Pol Lt Gen Nopphasin Poonsawat, Chief of Police Office, Pol Maj Gen Theerachai Chamnanmo, Deputy Chief of Police Region 6, Pol Lt Gen Kitisak Durongkaviboon, Chief of Police Region 6, and Pol Maj Gen Paisan Nanta, Chief of Tak Provincial Police, coordinated with the Department of Provincial Administration, the Department of Special Investigation, the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, the Anti-Money Laundering Office, and the Provincial Police Region 6 to launch the “Crackdown on Illegal 10-Year ID Cards” operation in Mae Sot district, Tak province. They targeted a corrupt network issuing personal identification cards without proper registration status—so-called “zero-status registration cards”—to Myanmar nationals. They searched 25 locations and arrested 17 suspects: 3 government officials, 2 guarantors, and 12 Myanmar nationals fraudulently using the IDs.
Pol Gen Samran explained that the Royal Thai Police and the DOPA N.I.C.E. task force of the Department of Provincial Administration received reports of registration officials in the area collaborating with brokers to unlawfully issue zero-status registration cards to Myanmar nationals. Investigations, including fingerprint comparisons with Immigration Bureau databases, confirmed at least 12 offenders—who already held Myanmar passports—were involved.
During the raids, authorities found significant signs of a connected network involving the Mae Sot registration office. This network reportedly facilitated the issuance of zero-status IDs to foreign laborers working in Mae Sot district, Tak province, and other provinces—a process known as "labor laundering." Officials implicated have issued over 700 zero-status cards, charging 40,000 to 100,000 baht per person.
The Royal Thai Police clarified that Thailand has lawful channels for foreigners seeking residence, work, business operations, or Thai citizenship, without needing to use illicit means, nominees, or improperly obtained documents. They pledged to continue investigations and prosecutions to protect the civil registration system and national security. The government aims for lawful, transparent, and verifiable coexistence, not to exclude qualified individuals. They will not tolerate exploitation of registration loopholes or misuse of state assistance for criminal acts. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activities to local police stations or the 24-hour hotline 1599.