Chiang Dao Officials Arrested Over Thai Nationality Fraud

Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid

Authorities have dismantled an alleged corruption network accused of illegally granting Thai residency and nationality to foreign nationals in Chiang Dao district, Chiang Mai province. Six suspects, including two district officers and four municipal officials, were arrested on 22 January 2026 under warrants issued by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Region 5. The operation involved multiple state agencies and has raised concerns about the integrity of Thailand’s civil registration system.

The coordinated raids were led by senior officers from the Central Investigation Bureau, including Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew and Pol Maj Gen Prasong Chalermpan, alongside the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission, the Department of Special Investigation and the Department of Provincial Administration. Searches were carried out at several locations across Chiang Mai province starting at 10.00am. All six suspects were taken into custody for further investigation.

Those arrested were named as Mr Theerawat Suksri and Mr Wiset Phongnok, both district officers in Chiang Mai province and Ms Suwanan Woratongchai, Ms Netnapa Khueanphet, Ms Rungarun Sawatwai and Ms Pornpatchara Thanakan, who are municipal officials in Chiang Dao district. All were detained under arrest warrants numbered 1–6/2569, dated 20 January 2026. The charges include abuse of official authority, falsely certifying official documents, and jointly using or supporting false evidence in population registration records.

The investigation stems from an earlier case in late November 2025, when police and the Department of Provincial Administration arrested the district chief of Wiang Haeng district, Chiang Mai and associates. That case involved allegations of bribery linked to applications for Thai nationality and legal status for individuals without civil registration. Following that arrest, authorities expanded their inquiry to other districts in the province.

During the expanded investigation, officials identified irregularities in applications for birth certification documents at the local registry office of Thung Khao Phuang Subdistrict Municipality in Chiang Dao. Investigators found a birth certification document (Tor.Ror.20/1) dated 15 August 2025 and a Por.Khor.14 document dated 14 August 2025. Both documents bore the signatures of Mr Theerawat and Mr Wiset as certifying officers, prompting the court to issue arrest warrants.

Thaitabloid reported that officials stated that further questioning and document reviews are under way to identify additional suspects and potentially fraudulent registration records. Authorities said the case will be pursued rigorously to ensure accountability and prevent future abuse of the civil registration system. More arrests may follow as evidence is examined.

Key Takeaways

• Six officials were arrested on 22 January 2026 for alleged involvement in falsifying residency and nationality records.

• The case is linked to a wider investigation that began with arrests in Wiang Haeng district in November 2025.

• Authorities are expanding the probe to uncover further suspects and fraudulent registration documents.

Related Story

Crackdown-exposes-major-Thai-citizenship-fraud-network

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thaitabloid 2026-01-23