The Immigration Bureau teamed up with the Department of Provincial Administration to launch the "Close the Sky, Hunt the Phor Thai Thip Network" operation, arresting two networks involved in providing Thai nationality to Chinese children. Among those arrested was a Chinese father wanted for fraud and money laundering worth 2.5 billion baht.
On 4 Nov 2026 at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Pol. Lt. Gen. Nopphasin Poolsawad, Commander of the Immigration Bureau, together with Mr. Naruetcha Kosasitwilai, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, Pol. Maj. Gen. Cherngron Rimpadee, Deputy Commander of the Immigration Bureau and spokesperson, Pol. Maj. Gen. Thanit Thaiwatcharamat, Pol. Maj. Gen. Piyanun Tosakunwong, Deputy Commander of the Immigration Bureau, Pol. Maj. Gen. Kodthanon Kamthiang, Commander of Immigration Division 2 and deputy spokesperson, and Pol. Maj. Gen. Decho Sosuwanakul, Commander of Immigration Division 5, joined forces with the Department of Provincial Administration's DOPA N.I.C.E. unit to launch the "Close the Sky, Hunt the Phor Thai Thip Network" operation. This followed Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s policy after uncovering a civil registration fraud ring using Thai men to certify foreign children as their own to unlawfully grant Thai nationality.
In the first case, on 25 Oct, Immigration officers at Suvarnabhumi Airport found Mr. Ratthaphon, 40, a Thai man, traveling with Ms. Yingxue, 26, a Chinese woman, and an eight-month-old boy holding Thai nationality. Both adults appeared suspicious and could not clearly explain their family background.
Investigation revealed the child's biological father is Mr. Haitao, 32, a Chinese content company worker wanted in China for fraud. He allegedly acted as a broker deceiving people into enrolling children in schools. Police found evidence suggesting Mr. Haitao and Ms. Yingxue planned to give birth in Thailand, then had Mr. Ratthaphon certify paternity to obtain Thai nationality for the child. The Pattaya Provincial Court issued arrest warrants for all three on 31 Oct 2026 on charges of providing false information and using fraudulent civil registration documents. Authorities subsequently apprehended them all.
In the second case, on 27 Oct 2026, Immigration officers at Suvarnabhumi Airport found Ms. Xiangjun, 31, a Chinese national, preparing to leave the country with her two-year-old son. She held a visa for caring for a Thai child. It was discovered the child had two birth certificates: one listing the child as Thai with Mr. Chatmongkol, 26, as father and Ms. Thongsom, 53, as certifier; the other identified the child as foreign with Mr. Yiemjum, 32, a Chinese man, as father. The hospital birth certificate used was forged. Investigation revealed Mr. Chatmongkol was not the biological father but Mr. Yiemjum was. The Bangkok South Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for four persons involved: Mr. Yiemjum, Ms. Xiangjun, Mr. Chatmongkol, and Ms. Thongsom, on charges of using false documents and providing false information in civil registration.
Further checks revealed Mr. Yiemjum is wanted by Chinese police for account-related fraud and money laundering linked to over 133 accounts, with losses estimated at 500 million yuan, or approximately 2.5 billion baht. Meanwhile, the Department of Provincial Administration initiated a disciplinary investigation against Mr. Wiwatchai, the official responsible for birth registrations in the northeastern region, recommending his suspension pending further inquiry.
This operation expanded efforts against the 'Phor Thai Thip' scheme, which involves using fake Thai fathers to unlawfully grant Thai nationality to foreign children. Authorities found links to Chinese nationals wanted abroad and the use of forged official documents to fraudulently obtain civil registration rights.