Koh Samui police target Rohingya ID card fraud ring

Koh Samui authorities have launched a crackdown on an alleged network accused of helping Rohingya people from Myanmar fraudulently obtain Thai zero-number identity cards.

The operation on 16 September involved district officials, police and DOPA N.I.C.E., the Department of Provincial Administration's anti-registration-security centre. Officers searched for and detained people linked to 13 targets in the case, including municipal officials, Thai supporters and Myanmar nationals.

Former municipal official to surrender

Among those named was a former deputy municipal clerk of Koh Samui Municipality, who contacted officers and said he would surrender the following day after travelling back from Satun province.

A registration and ID-card specialist at Koh Samui Municipality surrendered at Koh Samui Police Station. Four Thai nationals alleged to have supported the operation also reported to police, while seven Myanmar nationals were arrested at homes in Bo Phut.

How the alleged scheme worked

Investigators said the network brought Rohingya people holding valid Myanmar passports to Koh Samui and had them claim they had no identity documents.

They allegedly applied for a personal record at Koh Samui Municipality before being photographed for a pink card at the district office. Koh Samui district issues such cards after the municipality has confirmed the submitted evidence.

The cards (pink cards) carry a 13-digit number beginning with 0 or 00 and are intended for migrant workers and their dependants, or people without nationality or civil-registration status, under Cabinet resolutions.

Pink card terms

Holders may be allowed temporary residence under the terms of the relevant Cabinet resolution and can work only with a valid work permit. They and their children may also access basic health services, such as migrant health insurance, and education rights set by the government.

Thanawat Intharasuwan, head of the DOPA N.I.C.E. investigation and suppression division, said the inquiry followed earlier action against alleged Rohingya identity-card fraud in Don Sak district, Surat Thani, as well as complaints concerning Koh Samui.

He said the Interior Ministry and Department of Provincial Administration would strictly investigate and enforce the law against registration fraud involving foreign nationals of any nationality.

Pictures courtesy of Daily News

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17 September 2026