Police Arrest Ex-Official in Rohingya ID Fraud Probe

Thai police have launched a major operation against an alleged registration fraud network accused of issuing “number 0” identity cards to Rohingya migrants in Surat Thani province, with 17 arrest warrants issued including one for a former district official.

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The operation took place on 4 July after Police General Kitrat Phanphet ordered a joint task force led by Police General Samran Nuanma, Deputy National Police Chief, and Police Lieutenant General Noppasin Poolsawat. Officers from Provincial Police Region 8, Surat Thani investigators, immigration police, the Department of Provincial Administration, the Department of Special Investigation and the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission took part in raids targeting the alleged network.

Investigators said the warrants cover a former Don Sak district officer, a former district employee, three householders accused of endorsing registrations, and 12 Rohingya migrants allegedly involved in the scheme. Six of the suspects remain at large.

The suspects face allegations including misconduct by public officials, creating or certifying false registration documents, and unlawfully adding names to house registration records and other civil registration documents.

Police said the investigation began after complaints were filed earlier in 2026 alleging that Rohingya migrants had obtained identity cards for persons without registration status at the Don Sak district office. The Department of Provincial Administration’s DOPA N.I.C.E. task force examined the records and found that former district officer Phairat had allegedly processed registration records and issued number 0 identity cards to as many as 240 people between 2021 and 2023.

Authorities said the network operated through two groups. Brokers allegedly recruited householders to register foreign nationals at addresses in exchange for payments of 1,000-2,000 baht per person, while also collecting large sums from applicants seeking number 0 identity cards, with estimates of at least 15 million baht.

Police said the second group consisted of corrupt officials who allegedly facilitated the issuing of the cards. Investigators warned that once a migrant receives a number 0 card, police cannot prosecute that person for illegal entry because the card identifies the holder as someone awaiting nationality verification.

Police General Samran said investigators had also found evidence that some Rohingya groups had formed organised communities with their own leaders and that there were allegations of intimidation, extortion and firearms offences within those groups. He said the case may be linked to human trafficking networks.

Daily News reported that authorities said the investigation will now be expanded beyond southern Thailand to examine registration fraud networks nationwide. The Anti-Money Laundering Office will also investigate financial transactions connected to the suspects and seek asset seizures under the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

Pictures courtesy of Daily News

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 5 July 2026

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