Report Chiang Mai Official Detained for Alleged Extortion in Migrant Worker Registration Scandal

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Photo via KhaoSod

 

Boonyarit, a senior district official in Chiang Mai, has been arrested on charges of extorting millions of baht from brokers involved in the registration of migrant workers. Serving as the chief registrar of the Region 5 Registration Centre and the district chief of San Sai, Boonyarit was apprehended on June 30 at his office by authorities from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), and police units.

 

The arrest was executed under a warrant issued by the Region 5 Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct. Boonyarit is accused of demanding and accepting bribes and misusing his official position.

 

The investigation commenced following complaints from brokers assisting migrant workers in acquiring pink cards, which are temporary identification documents for non-Thai nationals. These brokers alleged that Boonyarit demanded an exorbitant fee of 200 baht per worker, far exceeding the legal charge of 60 baht per card and 20 baht per certified document copy.

 

According to the allegations, Boonyarit threatened to delay or obstruct applications unless the inflated fees were paid. Those who refused were reportedly placed at the end of the queue or accused of submitting forged documents, severely hindering their operations.

 

Witness testimony indicates that the scheme may have generated between 2.4 million and 3.6 million baht in illicit gains since early 2023. The office reportedly processed no fewer than 1,000 migrant workers daily, with approximately 200,000 baht collected in unofficial fees each day.

 

Authorities conducted weeks of surveillance and gathered substantial evidence to substantiate the claims before securing a court warrant for Boonyarit’s arrest. In the initial stages of questioning, Boonyarit vehemently denied all charges. However, investigators have confirmed that he will remain in custody as the legal proceedings unfold.

 

This case has spotlighted systemic issues within the migrant registration process and sparked calls for reform. Advocacy groups are urging for greater transparency and oversight to prevent similar incidents in the future. As the investigation continues, this scandal underscores the ongoing challenges within migrant worker administration in Thailand, highlighting the need for stringent anti-corruption measures to safeguard vulnerable populations from exploitation.

 

The repercussions of this case may lead to policy reviews and changes aimed at tightening the regulatory framework governing migrant registrations, ensuring such practices are abolished and official procedures maintained with integrity.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-30