Suphan Buri raid finds fake work permits

Authorities in Suphan Buri have detained 18 migrant workers at a construction camp after finding 16 suspected fake work permits and two workers who had overstayed their authorised period in Thailand.

The operation was carried out at 11am on 22 September 2026 by Mueang Suphan Buri district officials, working with the Department of Employment, Internal Security Operations Command, Immigration Police, and the Labour Welfare and Protection Office.

The inspection followed an earlier checkpoint stop in Phai Khwang subdistrict, Mueang Suphan Buri district, where officials became suspicious of work permits shown by workers travelling in a vehicle.

QR codes and fonts raised suspicion

Officials said the documents initially presented at the checkpoint appeared irregular. Their QR codes did not return information when scanned, while the typefaces used on the permits also appeared unusual.

After further checks, the permits were found to be fake, according to the authorities. Officers then widened their investigation to a construction workers' camp at Suan Dusit University Suphan Buri Campus, in Khok Kho Thao subdistrict.

At the camp, officials checked the identity documents and work permits of 18 foreign workers. Two had valid work permits but had remained in Thailand beyond the period they were permitted to stay, while 16 were found to be using counterfeit permits, authorities said.

The group comprised 16 Myanmar nationals and two Cambodian nationals. Officials said the two Cambodians had used forged documents identifying them as Lao nationals in order to work in Thailand.

Investigation to target document network

All 18 workers were detained and taken to investigators at Mueang Suphan Buri Police Station for further legal proceedings.

The reported charges include entering and remaining in Thailand without permission, working without a permit, forging official documents and using forged official documents. Authorities said they would continue examining the case and investigate those involved in producing or supplying the false paperwork.

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24 September 2026