Deputy Minister Polpeer led the team to announce the results of Operation "Dragon Scale Removal," which arrested "fake fathers" and state officials involved in fraudulent acquisition of nationality for foreign children. The operation introduced strict measures for birth registration to curb illicit capital laundering and acquisition of Thai real estate.
On 9 July 2026 at 3:00 p.m., Mr. Polpeer Suwanchavee, Deputy Minister of the Interior, presided over the press conference. Operation "Dragon Scale Removal" aimed to suppress networks disguising marriages and committing registration fraud at the Investigation Division, Metropolitan Police Division 8, Chom Thong District, Bangkok. Attendees included Police General Samran Nuamma, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police; Mr. Witoon Sirinukul, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration; Mr. Supap Siri, Director of Government Corruption Suppression Division 1, Office of the NACC; Mr. Apinan Nuansuwan, Acting Director of the Financial Intelligence Division, Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO); and Mr. Angsuket Wisutwatthanasak, Director of the Justice Affairs Division, Department of Special Investigation (DSI).
This integrated crackdown expands on the previous "Dragon Scale Reversal" operation, uncovering a transnational criminal network that hires Thai nationals to enter into sham marriages or act as “fake fathers” to register births and secure Thai nationality for foreign children. This led to 40 arrest warrants and 53 search warrants, resulting in the arrest of 15 offenders, including foreigners, Thai "fake fathers," state officials, and hospital staff involved in the scheme.
Such acts harm the economy by creating loopholes for gray capital groups to circumvent laws, own real estate, conduct business, and launder money through children granted Thai nationality. The Ministry of Interior’s Department of Provincial Administration urgently instructed 878 district registration offices nationwide to tighten measures by requiring foreign fathers or mothers to personally appear to confirm parentage, aiming to close loopholes and decisively block these networks.
Mr. Polpeer emphasized the government’s determination to eradicate transnational crime, stating: “Over the past period, the government, led by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, has been aware of transnational crime threats to Thai people, including call center gangs, scammers, and various gray businesses. All relevant agencies have been ordered to intensify crackdowns continuously. We discovered offenders exploit the civil registration system and nationality acquisition to facilitate hiding or transferring assets, not only by using false documents or impersonation but also by hiring Thai nationals for sham marriages or false parentage to obtain Thai nationality for their children. This poses a serious threat to public order and national security. I emphasize that under the Prime Minister’s and Minister’s policies, we enforce the law straightforwardly and monitor suspected individuals. Therefore, regardless of your agency, if you break the law, our units will investigate thoroughly.”