The Secretary-General of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) revealed that Minister Pradorn has ordered a strict investigation into corrupt state officials involved with phantom fathers. Shockingly, over 200 names appear on household registrations as residents, and Thai men are hired for 9,000 baht to register fake marriages and divorces as cover-ups.
At 3:00 p.m. on 27 Oct 2026 GMT+7 at the Government House, Phumvisan Kasemsuk, Secretary-General of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), disclosed that he met with Minister Pradorn Piriyanantakul, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office. On the same day, the Immigration Police Command, Department of Provincial Administration, PACC office, and related agencies enforced the law in the 'Cutting Off Phantom Fathers' operation to crack down on networks corrupting civil registration and nationality. These networks hire Thai men to falsely claim fatherhood (phantom fathers) so that foreign children improperly obtain Thai nationality. At least some state officials are involved in these offenses.
Phumvisan said that next week Minister Pradorn will deliver policy guidance at the PACC office on how to proceed. All officials responsible for civil registrations and related operations, whether district office staff or others involved, must operate strictly within the legal framework.
When asked if this operation uncovered the root cause, Phumvisan replied that the root cause is still under fact-finding and investigation. He reserved details to allow for deeper examination. They cannot yet say who may be implicated or what will follow. However, it is crucial to strictly supervise state officials with authority to prevent negligence that allows such issues to arise, affecting national security. He noted that if everyone living in Thailand gains these rights improperly, soon there will be phantom fathers, phantom mothers, and phantom children, which will impact national security, the economy, and society. The question remains who will be held accountable.
Phumvisan added that investigations found some household registrations listing up to 200 residents. Some phantom fathers are motorcycle taxi drivers paid 5,000 baht to register fake marriages as a cover, then 4,000 baht to register divorces later, totaling 9,000 baht.
Phumvisan said that from now on, involved state officials must strictly comply with regulations and perform duties properly within their authority. When asked how officials involved will be handled, he said their agencies must pursue disciplinary and administrative actions, while the PACC will pursue criminal cases within its authority. Today, Minister Pradorn ordered him to investigate officials involved in these offenses.
When asked if there will be further operations, the PACC Secretary-General said this will certainly not be the last. They will continue to pressure and enforce the law until the problem is fully resolved and everything is properly regulated and transparent.