Authorities in Nakhon Ratchasima have launched an investigation into citizenship fraud following allegations against municipal officers for issuing illegal documents to foreigners. Pho Klang Mayor Kitipong Pongsurawet formally filed a complaint, triggering a comprehensive probe into the suspected officials. The investigation targets the issuance of at least 27 questionable birth certificates, primarily involving Chinese nationals linked to illicit activities.

Get today's headlines by email

The Department of Provincial Administration is working with local authorities to scrutinize the dubious documents. The alleged misconduct includes accepting bribes from 10,000 to 30,000 baht to facilitate illegal citizenship statuses. The scale and seriousness of the allegations have prompted police, led by Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Police Commander Narong Promta, to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.

The evidence collected will be submitted to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for further action due to the involvement of public officials. Efforts are underway to locate a key suspect, missing for over 20 days, whose testimony could potentially unveil more involved parties.

Authorities have confirmed that the investigation is currently confined to Pho Klang Subdistrict Municipality, with no similar cases identified elsewhere in the province.

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

  Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 27 Apr 2026

View full article

A couple of weeks ago It was Kanchanaburi , late last year it was Chiang Mai, and now Nakhon Ratchasima.

People in positions of trust who are convicted of abusing that trust need to be dealt will severely. But, it shouldn't just focus on them alone - the people who benefit from the actions of corrupt officials also need to be prosecuted!

But, that doesn't seem to be the case which is surprising!

In the past, Thai anti-corruption law has traditionally focused on the recipients of bribes, such as government officials, but that was supposed to have changed after the 2014 military coup, and with the 2015 amendments to the Organic Act on Counter Corruption (OACC)

I recall that this was big news at the time, with public surveys revealing that nearly half of Thais reported paying bribes to the police (Global Corruption Barometer Asia-Pacific 2017 Report). This sparked a national conversation about "Tea Money" and the realization that the law was failing because it only effectively targeted the person receiving the bribe. The Act was supposed to lead to a shift toward equal accountability, specifically making it a crime to offer the bribe, effectively trying to kill the supply side of the problem.

In fact, under the Organic Act on Anti-Corruption B.E. 2561 (2018) the penalties are clearly defined:

For the Bribe Giver (Active Bribery): Individuals who offer or give bribes to public officials can face up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of up to 100,000 THB.

For the Bribe Receiver (Passive Bribery): Officials who solicit or accept bribes face significantly harsher penalties, including 5 to 20 years in prison, life imprisonment, or even the death penalty in extreme cases, plus fines up to 400,000 THB.

So, why are we not hearing about prosecutions of the beneficiaries of these frauds?

11 minutes ago, Jim Waldron said:

So, why are we not hearing about prosecutions of the beneficiaries of these frauds?

From the OP post: Pho Klang Mayor Kitipong Pongsurawet formally filed a complaint, triggering a comprehensive probe into the suspected officials.

The entire 2018 Anti-corruption Act esp Section 128 and 129 are set up to be triggered ONLY by a formal complaint.

Thai's by nature are corrupt they cannot help it !!!

A "pay-to-speed" culture exists, where small bribes are sometimes used to accelerate bureaucratic processes, often viewed by some as a necessary convenience rather than a severe crime !!