Thai authorities have dismantled a network accused of arranging fake Thai fathers to falsely register foreign children as Thai citizens, with 164 Chinese nationals allegedly using the scheme over five years. The operation, named “Dragon Scale Removal”, involved police, the Department of Provincial Administration, DOPA N.I.C.E, the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission and the Anti-Money Laundering Office. Get today's headlines by email On July 9, Pol Gen Samran Nuanma, deputy national police chief, and Pol Lt Gen Noppasin Poolsawat, adviser to the Royal Thai Police chief, led officers in searches targeting hospital and district office officials, 17 alleged Thai nominee fathers and foreign mothers. Court warrants were issued for 42 searches linked to the investigation. The investigation followed the April 2024 arrest of Chinese national Chen Yinlai, accused of operating a scam network that used Thailand as a base to launder more than 70 billion baht. Authorities said financial investigations found transfers through mule accounts to Paojiao Chen, Chen Yinlai’s Chinese wife, whose three children were found to have Thai nationality. Investigators said Thai men had allegedly been hired to register marriages with Chinese women and act as fathers on birth registrations. A private hospital in Bangkok was allegedly used to provide childbirth packages, with hospital staff and district officials assisting in documents used to obtain Thai citizenship for children. Police said a hospital employee, identified as Sunee, allegedly acted as a broker, arranging childbirth services at a private hospital in Thonburi for 70,000 baht per case. She allegedly received about 20,000 baht for processing documents, while Thai men were paid between 2,000 and 15,000 baht to provide false father recognition. Authorities said checks of medical records found 164 Chinese nationals who used Thai fathers for birth registrations. Investigators said there were no earlier pregnancy records showing the Thai fathers and alleged that fathers appeared only later when birth documents were prepared. The Department of Provincial Administration has ordered relevant registrars to cancel fraudulent registration records and revoke Thai nationality obtained through the alleged scheme. Immigration authorities will consider legal action, including possible deportation of foreign nationals involved. Amarin reported that officials said suspects were taken to the Metropolitan Police Bureau Division 8 for questioning and further investigation. Authorities will continue expanding the investigation and examine any state officials suspected of involvement for possible disciplinary and criminal action. Pictures courtesy of Amarin Join the discussion? 10 July 2026
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