Tracing the foreign criminal organization "Myanmar Mafia network" exploiting benefits in Thailand by producing fake passports and oppressing migrant workers. It reveals how this group infiltrates illegal business sectors and abuses foreign laborers.
The SEE TRUE team went to Pattaya, Chonburi Province, following a tip-off indicating the presence of "Myanmar Mafia" involved in various illegal businesses. The arrest of migrant workers illegally driving tourist shuttle vehicles at a hotel in Pattaya on 25 March highlighted the threat of foreigners encroaching on Thai jobs.
Through field investigation and information gathering, it was found that this network operates multiple illegal businesses, including forging passports, deceiving migrants to obtain foreigner ID cards, and trafficking untaxed goods. The team met a Myanmar national who had been victimized by this network and was taken to a location believed to be their operational base.
This building operates as a restaurant and offers services for making passports and Pink Cards for workers. Many workers paid money but never received genuine cards, yet feared demanding refunds or clarifications. Some received cards but were cheated. Workers also reported another location selling illegal Myanmar goods, such as counterfeit branded shirts and bags.
After gathering this information, the team went to inspect and found a man resembling a Myanmar national arrested by immigration police on 25 March. Attempts to speak with the staff, all Myanmar nationals, at the restaurant revealed no immediate evidence of illegal goods. The team then checked another nearby site, which appeared to be a front shop selling goods.
A source revealed that this shop provides "fake passports" to Indian nationals seeking Myanmar citizenship. Indians choose to obtain fake Myanmar passports because Myanmar workers have easier access to work in Thailand via the MOU system, Pink Cards with low fees, and renewal options. In contrast, Indians face complicated, costly work visa procedures. This loophole is exploited by mafia gangs to seek profits in Thailand despite the illegality.
"Here, anyone who tries to make demands is not dealt with through Thai law but is threatened with violence or intimidation by people of the same nationality, claiming connections with powerful figures in Pattaya. They say that anything done in Pattaya must go through them, but they dare not confront Thais. Thai people enter and leave once a week to collect some unknown payments. The boss is Ye Win Aung, who owns all three buildings," the source said.
The victim further informed the team that the mafia gang comprises three nationalities working as a syndicate: Indians as financiers, Myanmar nationals managing operations, and crucially, Thais acting as nominees. This structure enables them to form a mafia network that oppresses foreigners working in Thailand.
When asked if anyone had sought police help, the victim said attempts were made but no progress occurred. The network has about 20 subordinates but no Thais among them; Thais only act as nominees. Anyone who opposes them faces police arrests instigated by the gang, using influence and Thai law to harass rivals.
Initially, this organization might have entered Thailand to offer services legitimately. But current behavior shows characteristics of transnational crime involving fraud, intimidation, mafia-style influence, and claims of connections with officials. This raises serious questions about whether the situation is evolving into "a criminal organization exploiting Thailand." If so, who is allowing this to continue? As workers remain exploited and money circulates in the shadows, this problem is not just about a single group but a warning signal requiring serious systemic investigation.
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