A raid at a district office in Ayutthaya has led to the arrest of six individuals, including a district chief officer, over a corruption scheme issuing identification cards to non-Thai nationals. Authorities said more than 200 people, mostly children under 15, were fraudulently registered at just three households in Wang Noi district. The operation was carried out on 31 March 2026 by multiple anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies.
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The suspects include Mr Nattapong Chantraket, Wang Noi District Chief Officer and Mr Kowit Ngod-ngam, a temporary registration and ID officer. They face charges of official misconduct, conspiracy, and producing or using false documents. An intermediary, Mrs Bussara Nikaji and three landlords were also arrested under Criminal Code Sections 157 and 86 and the 1991 Civil Registration Act.
Investigators found that between July and November 2025, intermediaries coordinated with officials to register foreign nationals at three addresses where they did not reside. Applications for address registration were followed almost immediately by ID card issuance. Shortly after receiving the cards, the individuals were removed from the household registers, indicating the registrations were solely for obtaining IDs.
Authorities said landlords were paid between 1,000 and 3,000 baht per person to allow their addresses to be used. Officials failed to verify actual residence, relationships within households, or conduct required witness interviews for applicants lacking documentation. These actions violated regulations governing the issuance of identification cards for non-Thai nationals.
Pol Lt Col Siripong Sritula of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission said the scheme exploited loopholes to issue so-called pink cards, often to children born in Thailand to foreign parents. These cards grant access to state benefits such as education and healthcare, resulting in significant public expenditure. Investigators described the registrations as concentrated in small or abandoned properties with no genuine occupancy.
Authorities stated that the pink ID card system processing for foreign workers and families, normally took place one afternoon per week, but irregularities emerged when large groups were brought in outside scheduled times. Suspicious activity, including multiple registrations at the same addresses, prompted coordination with police and the temporary suspension of registration services.
ThaiRath reported that authorities said evidence gathering began in mid-2025 and involved reviewing documentation, databases, and CCTV footage. The investigation is ongoing, and officials indicated that further arrests are possible if additional evidence is uncovered. All individuals found responsible will face prosecution.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Thairath 1 Apr 2026
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