DSI Raids Migrant Work Permit Firms in Alleged Bribery Scandal Worth Millions of Baht

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) launched coordinated raids on four locations in Bangkok linked to a suspected bribery and money laundering ring involving the renewal of work permits for Cambodian migrant workers. The case, which potentially involves over 700 million baht in illegal transactions, is also under investigation for ties to high-ranking Cambodian officials and Thai labour ministry personnel.

At 13:30 on 3 July, DSI officers led by Pol. Lt. Col. Yuthana Praedam, Director-General of DSI, searched four locations, including the headquarters of AA Advance Service Co., Ltd., located at 38/1501 KC Ramintra 7 Village, Khlong Sam Wa district, Bangkok. The operation aimed to gather evidence against a network accused of systematically extorting 2,500 baht per head from Cambodian migrant workers under the pretext of online work permit renewals.

According to DSI findings, these payments were allegedly collected outside the official government system via proxy or “mule” accounts. If extrapolated across the estimated 280,000 Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand, the scheme may have generated over 700 million baht.

Yuthana revealed that some of the funds were traced to high-ranking Cambodian officials and in some cases, transferred back to Thai nationals, possibly acting as nominees. Financial records showed at least 100 million baht had flowed through these illicit channels, although investigators believe the true figure could be higher. The alleged bribes were linked to pressures placed on workers, who were told that failing to pay the fee would result in their permit application being blocked by the new online system – rendering them ineligible for health checks, social security, visa renewals or continued legal employment.

“This is a clear exploitation of vulnerable foreign labourers, many of whom earn only 300–400 baht a day,” Yuthana stated. “They were told the online renewal would not proceed unless they paid the extra fee, which was never officially required.”

Investigators believe the racket began in November 2024, when Thailand’s Ministry of Labour issued a directive allowing the extension of work permits for foreign nationals from Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. The renewal process mandated that workers be certified by their respective embassies and through authorised recruitment agencies in their home countries. This requirement appears to have provided the opening for a bribery scheme involving both Thai and Cambodian players.

Authorities suspect the involvement of mid- to senior-level officials within Thailand’s Ministry of Labour. Under the new digital renewal process, labour brokers were required to input data into the system, allegedly demanding the 2,500 baht “service fee” as a condition for submission.

Among the targets searched on 3 July were two locations on Thai Ramindra Road and two on Chaeng Watthana Road. Two individuals were questioned on-site, including the Thai owner of the company and an employee. Numerous documents relating to work permit applications and approvals were seized.

Pol. Lt. Col. Thanawat Wong-ananchai, a DSI special case expert, added that much of the evidence gathered consisted of documentation used in the permit process and that additional records may still be stored at other offices.

The case came to light after DSI received a formal complaint from a group of Thai employers affected by the alleged racket. They reported that their workers were being forced to pay unofficial fees to renew their permits or risk deportation and arrest. Employers were reportedly instructed by Thai brokers to have workers transfer the bribes through mule accounts, often held by fellow migrants.

Initial findings suggest that at least 10 individuals are part of the alleged network, operating primarily in Bangkok and surrounding provinces. While Cambodian workers were the primary target of the scheme, the DSI warned that if similar tactics were applied to the nearly 2 million Myanmar workers and others from Laos and Vietnam, the total sum involved could reach 6 billion baht.

Yuthana concluded that the money laundering component of the case is now firmly established. “Transferring illicit funds through mule accounts and across international borders with the intent to conceal the origin and nature of the funds constitutes classic money laundering,” he said. “We will now work to determine the legal status of those involved, including whether the Cambodian officials named in the investigation are acting in an official capacity.”

The investigation is ongoing, with DSI continuing to examine financial records, interview witnesses, and determine the extent of any official involvement on both sides of the Thai-Cambodian border.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-07-04