A raid at a district office in Ayutthaya has led to the arrest of six individuals, including a district chief officer, over a corruption scheme issuing identification cards to non-Thai nationals. Authorities said more than 200 people, mostly children under 15, were fraudulently registered at just three households in Wang Noi district. The operation was carried out on 31 March 2026 by multiple anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies.

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The suspects include Mr Nattapong Chantraket, Wang Noi District Chief Officer and Mr Kowit Ngod-ngam, a temporary registration and ID officer. They face charges of official misconduct, conspiracy, and producing or using false documents. An intermediary, Mrs Bussara Nikaji and three landlords were also arrested under Criminal Code Sections 157 and 86 and the 1991 Civil Registration Act.

Investigators found that between July and November 2025, intermediaries coordinated with officials to register foreign nationals at three addresses where they did not reside. Applications for address registration were followed almost immediately by ID card issuance. Shortly after receiving the cards, the individuals were removed from the household registers, indicating the registrations were solely for obtaining IDs.

Authorities said landlords were paid between 1,000 and 3,000 baht per person to allow their addresses to be used. Officials failed to verify actual residence, relationships within households, or conduct required witness interviews for applicants lacking documentation. These actions violated regulations governing the issuance of identification cards for non-Thai nationals.

Pol Lt Col Siripong Sritula of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission said the scheme exploited loopholes to issue so-called pink cards, often to children born in Thailand to foreign parents. These cards grant access to state benefits such as education and healthcare, resulting in significant public expenditure. Investigators described the registrations as concentrated in small or abandoned properties with no genuine occupancy.

Authorities stated that the pink ID card system processing for foreign workers and families, normally took place one afternoon per week, but irregularities emerged when large groups were brought in outside scheduled times. Suspicious activity, including multiple registrations at the same addresses, prompted coordination with police and the temporary suspension of registration services.

ThaiRath reported that authorities said evidence gathering began in mid-2025 and involved reviewing documentation, databases, and CCTV footage. The investigation is ongoing, and officials indicated that further arrests are possible if additional evidence is uncovered. All individuals found responsible will face prosecution.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Thairath 1 Apr 2026

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This is a serious breach of public trust. When officials responsible for safeguarding Thailand’s identification system are themselves involved in issuing fraudulent IDs, it undermines immigration control, and confidence in local governance.

A key question now is whether all illegally issued ID cards have been fully identified and rescinded.

Simply arresting the officials is not enough! Authorities now need to confirm how many fraudulent cards were created, who received them, and whether those individuals used the documents to access services, travel, or obtain further legal status.

Just another small example of corruption in a society riddled with corruption at all levels.

20 minutes ago, Jim Waldron said:

This is a serious breach of public trust. When officials responsible for safeguarding Thailand’s identification system are themselves involved in issuing fraudulent IDs, it undermines immigration control, and confidence in local governance.

A key question now is whether all illegally issued ID cards have been fully identified and rescinded.

Simply arresting the officials is not enough! Authorities now need to confirm how many fraudulent cards were created, who received them, and whether those individuals used the documents to access services, travel, or obtain further legal status.

But really, who cares?

Does it affect your life as an alien in any way, shape or form?

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

the scheme exploited loopholes to issue so-called pink cards, often to children born in Thailand to foreign parents. These cards grant access to state benefits such as education and healthcare

A bit different to my pink Thai ID card, that allows me to mail a letter from the mail office.

1 hour ago, PJ71 said:

Does it affect your life as an alien in any way, shape or form?

Potentially yes, as with ALL corruption large or small, here or in any other country including your country of origin.

Corruption of all kinds weakens social bonds and the governing of free and open democratic societies. The fact that Thailand is not a free & open democratic society is intimately bound to corruption at all levels of Thai society and governance. Corrupt Government decision-making and bureaucratic corruption is what leads to new buildings collapsing because building standards are neglected, and unequal treatment of people appearing before law courts. Widespread corruption leads to contempt for the law as you can observe in Thai behaviours at any time of the day or night (pedestrian crossing, anyone?). And on & on ...

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

the scheme exploited loopholes to issue so-called pink cards, often to children born in Thailand to foreign parents. These cards grant access to state benefits such as education and healthcare

Really? Had no idea.

1 hour ago, PJ71 said:

But really, who cares?

Does it affect your life as an alien in any way, shape or form?

Actually it does, though concede, not much. It adds expenditures to the already stressed public services, which requires more funds to support it. Just think if it was 200 people per Amphur offices, within all provinces. And that's only what they noticed in a very short window.

The discounted VAT of 7% soon to rise 3% to 10%, so everyone is paying for via taxes to fund social service, Gold Card scheme, school system, social security, the govt budget itself. Someone has to pay for all the scams.

But let's be honest, no different than using an agent at Imm for your extensions, when not meeting the financials, so I hope those complaining, see themselves as part of the problem, and why Imm tightens things up for the rest of us. THANK YOU VERY MUCH

As surely they will now with the issuing Pink IDs.

1 hour ago, PJ71 said:

But really, who cares?

Does it affect your life as an alien in any way, shape or form?

Now thats a good example of Thai thinking. If there's corruption and it doesnt affect you then just so oh well and ignore it. Then you wonder why things are as corrupt as they are.

37 minutes ago, Dan O said:

Now thats a good example of Thai thinking. If there's corruption and it doesnt affect you then just so oh well and ignore it. Then you wonder why things are as corrupt as they are.

A very fair comment- at the end of the day corruption in all forms, big and small, leaves a price to pay for all of us

52 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

Potentially yes, as with ALL corruption large or small, here or in any other country including your country of origin.

Corruption of all kinds weakens social bonds and the governing of free and open democratic societies. The fact that Thailand is not a free & open democratic society is intimately bound to corruption at all levels of Thai society and governance. Corrupt Government decision-making and bureaucratic corruption is what leads to new buildings collapsing because building standards are neglected, and unequal treatment of people appearing before law courts. Widespread corruption leads to contempt for the law as you can observe in Thai behaviours at any time of the day or night (pedestrian crossing, anyone?). And on & on ...

So.... are you going to do anything about all this corruption or just moan and do nothing?

43 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Actually it does, though concede, not much. It adds expenditures to the already stressed public services, which requires more funds to support it. Just think if it was 200 people per Amphur offices, within all provinces. And that's only what they noticed in a very short window.

The discounted VAT of 7% soon to rise 3% to 10%, so everyone is paying for via taxes to fund social service, Gold Card scheme, school system, social security, the govt budget itself. Someone has to pay for all the scams.

But let's be honest, no different than using an agent at Imm for your extensions, when not meeting the financials, so I hope those complaining, see themselves as part of the problem, and why Imm tightens things up for the rest of us. THANK YOU VERY MUCH

As surely they will now with the issuing Pink IDs.

All the things you mention are irrelevant for many expats.

43 minutes ago, Dan O said:

Now thats a good example of Thai thinking. If there's corruption and it doesnt affect you then just so oh well and ignore it. Then you wonder why things are as corrupt as they are.

Bingo - exactly this.

2 minutes ago, PJ71 said:

So.... are you going to do anything about all this corruption or just moan and do nothing?

Not practicing corruption oneself or benefiting from it is a good start.

2 hours ago, PJ71 said:

But really, who cares?

Does it affect your life as an alien in any way, shape or form?

I am thinking that if I applied for a Pink Card now, it may very well affect my life as an alien now. So, yes … I care.

I guess the gravy didn't go high enough up the chain.

2 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

I am thinking that if I applied for a Pink Card now, it may very well affect my life as an alien now. So, yes … I care.

Pink card.....the holy grail for many a farang - lol.

5 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

Not practicing corruption oneself or benefiting from it is a good start.

When i Rome etc.

I'm not surprised in the least. I live in Thailand for 20 months and I benefited from the corruption. Really surprised that there is not more is this disclosed with Immigration and their workings.

4 hours ago, PJ71 said:

But really, who cares?

Does it affect your life as an alien in any way, shape or form?

Well, yes, it gives him something to harrumph, snort, and complain about, as if things were any different in his own country.

I am more interested in what punishment will be given to these enterprising officials, if any. I also would be surprised if the results of any investigation are reported or just swept under the carpet. It might discourage such behavior in other offices

Two words. Visa "agents". The underground brown envelope economy. But I'm happy here, they can run their country any way they want. It's still light years better than the US.

1 hour ago, Legal Lifeline said:

A very fair comment- at the end of the day corruption in all forms, big and small, leaves a price to pay for all of us

Exactly and that's why its such a shame so many Thai's just accept corruption as part of life and since they aren't directly impacted they think it doesn't affect them or that there isnt any way to change it.

2 hours ago, Dan O said:

Now thats a good example of Thai thinking. If there's corruption and it doesnt affect you then just so oh well and ignore it. Then you wonder why things are as corrupt as they are.

There was an article on here some years ago about some polling regarding corruption. I can't remember the figures but a lot of Thais were ok with corruption, so long as they benefited. Another example of short sighted thinking.

No surprise here any government official in Thailand can be bought corruption here is from a very top of the very bottom it happens in principle or the directors of schools to the governors in each province they’re all corrupt let’s not mention the police immigration oh yeah pay an extra fee and you get your letter right away or do you wanna wait a few days it’s corrupt from the top to the bottom and big joke he was as corrupt as they come come on you know where you live TIT

Does this relate to the pink I.d card?

Does having such a card give a retiree with the appropriate extension of stay and additional benefits?

I know a few ex pats in Khon Kaen who smugly say that they have one but apparently it doesn’t stop them being charged a farang price if the go to a national park or somewhere similar where there is a duel pricing policy.

I have found that my Thai drivers licence has been more than adequate on occasions that I have been asked for proof of I.d 🤷‍♂️

Come on! These were pink cards not chipped green ID cards! So what! And why couldn't the foreign children apply on their own with no intervention?

Pink cards are available to all foreigners. As far as I know, mine does not include healthcare. Bummer, but I can afford the B50 extra above the Thai price at hospitals.

I really don't see any crime here...

So how do I get a pink card? I've been living in Thailand for the past 25 years, I'm legally married to a Thai lady. Even she doesn't even know what a pink card is.

22 hours ago, mfd101 said:

Just another small example of corruption in a society riddled with corruption at all levels.

Yes, not an official office or official in uniform seems to come up squeaky clean.

23 hours ago, PJ71 said:

Pink card.....the holy grail for many a farang - lol.

Evidently mixed reports TIT. Nonetheless, potential affect resulting in my caring.