Deputy Minister of Interior Jeset Thai-set announced an operation dismantling a fraudulent network issuing 'zero-head' cards to foreigners, with over 1,000 offenders prosecuted. The court has approved arrest warrants for 17 individuals, stressing that no government officials are exempt.
On 4 August 2026 at the Tak Immigration Checkpoint in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Deputy Minister of Interior Jeset Thai-set, accompanied by Naruecha Kosasivilai, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, Police General Samran Nualma, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, the Governor of Tak Province, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, and the head of the anti-registration security task force (DOPA N.I.C.E.) jointly announced the results of the "Crackdown on Illegal 10-Year Cards" operation.
The operation involved arresting a network engaged in fraudulent registration of stateless individuals' records or "zero-head" cards issued improperly to foreigners. This network is directly linked to transnational crime groups and human trafficking operations in the border area of Mae Sot District, Tak Province.
Deputy Minister Jeset revealed that the offenders are Myanmar nationals exploiting system loopholes combined with corruption among some government officials to create records falsely claiming "stateless persons" status. This grants them dual identities by holding a 10-year identification card to reside, conduct business, launder money, or carry out transactions in Thailand, facilitating concealment and asset movement from criminal activities. Meanwhile, they still possess Myanmar passports for travel or escape back to their home country.
"This misconduct is not just conventional identity fraud but involves falsely claiming stateless status to shield their true identity and evade government scrutiny. It is a silent threat with severe implications for national security," said Deputy Minister Jeset.
Naruecha Kosasivilai, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, added that the department, collaborating with partners, has been investigating complaints since 2022–2023, uncovering widespread fraudulent issuance of such cards. Inspections revealed over 1,000 improperly issued cards, with solid evidence against at least 10 foreigners who already hold passports from their home country but have been registered as stateless persons in Thailand.
Recently, the Tak Provincial Court approved arrest warrants for at least 17 suspects, including government officials involved in misconduct, foreigners who submitted false registration requests, homeowners, and witnesses who corroborated false information. Charges include unlawfully registering oneself or others in household registration or civil registry documents and misconduct in official duties.
The Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration affirmed that the department will rigorously suppress registration fraud under the principle of "naming and shaming" regardless of the offender's rank. With clear evidence, the department will pursue the highest criminal and disciplinary actions to protect the credibility of the civil registry system and safeguard the country's long-term security.