Chiang Mai corruption crackdown targets illegal identity card network

Thai authorities have launched Operation ‘Sop Phai Chaiprakarn’ to dismantle a corruption network in Chiang Mai’s Chaiprakarn district involving the illegal issuance of identity cards for non-Thai nationals.

Investigations revealed that between 2016 and 2022, approximately 5,044 ‘Type 0’ registration cards—intended for persons without official status—were issued improperly. The scheme involved using non-existent addresses, submitting incomplete fingerprints to bypass biometric checks, and falsifying documents. Officials identified a network described as ‘labor laundering,’ where foreign nationals were illicitly granted status to access Thai social welfare.

Law enforcement officials, including Deputy Minister of Interior Worasit Liengprasit and Deputy Police Chief Samran Nuanma, reported the arrest of several suspects. The group includes government officials, such as a former district officer, a sub-district head (Kamnan), and village heads, alongside foreign nationals. Among those identified as having used fraudulent credentials were 22 Myanmar nationals and one Chinese national who possessed valid foreign passports.

Authorities have moved to revoke or cancel the fraudulent registrations and are working to integrate databases to prevent future security threats and identity theft.