Dept Of Special Investigation, Interior Ministry To Crackdown On Thai I D Card Scam

[webfact]

CRIME

DSI, Interior Ministry to crackdown on ID card scam

PIYANUCH THAMNUKASETCHAI

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Interior Ministry have joined forces to crackdown on national ID cards being illegally issued to stateless or migrant workers at a ridiculously high price.

DSI chief Tarit Pengdith said yesterday that Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan would hold a press conference today to announce actions that will be taken against such gangs, whose recent moves helped launder money for criminals such as Wa drug lord Wei Hsueh-kang and hilltribe drug dealer Ajong Saelu. He said this would lead to a systematic crackdown and prosecution of involved state officials.

Security Crime Bureau director Pol Lt-Colonel Pong-in Intarakhao said Tarit will lead a team of DSI officials to Chiang Mai tomorrow to inspect the procedure of issuing ID cards in targeted areas where as many as 20,000 ID cards were reportedly issued to migrants, Pong-in said. Migrants wanting Thai ID cards usually contact a middleman, who then pays extra to officials to issue the cards, which reportedly differ in price, he explained.

For instance, ID cards that begin with "3" are for citizens whose names were included in the household registration before May 1984, while ID cards starting with a "5" are for citizens whose birth was not reported within the deadline. IDs under these categories can cost between Bt120,000 and Bt180,000, and are issued within one working day.

In comparison, ID cards with the first digit "6" are issued temporarily for migrants who can then apply for a permanent ID with the first digit "8". These cards cost about Bt10,000 to Bt20,000, he added.

A source at the DSI revealed that corruption related to the issuing of ID cards was widespread and especially bad in provinces like Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Tak and Mae Hong Son, where there are more migrant workers.

The DSI has monitored provincial administrative officials who might be involved and learned that officials continue this practice even after being transferred because the middlemen keep bringing them business.

The source said these officials usually had access to ID cards of deceased citizens, those living overseas or those who have made no official use of their household registration for many years, and often steal these identities.

The visiting DSI officers will inspect 100,000 documents used to issue ID cards for 20,000 migrants so these illegal cards can be revoked and those involved punished, the source said. The DSI will also prevent other state officials from getting involved in the scam.

-- The Nation 2013-01-23

[dcutman]

Another crackdown, and again govt officials right in the middle of it. More than likely insufficient evidence will be found for prosecution.

[BrianCR]

So that's why there is a shortage of ID cards for normal Thai citizens? All makes sense now!

[Locationthailand]

Seems to me the whole Public Service needs to be shuffled sideways which would at least confuse the connections somewhat and slow the graft. This country truly is amazing. And because the public endorses it, it's never going to change without something serious affecting the train of thought of the citizens. After all, they keep voting based on 'they too may get a pay day'. Sheer stupidity. Live and let live I suppose - no choice.

[fareastguy]

Thailand is so corrupt it almost doesn't matter who issues what to who.. eventually where money is involved minds will be swayed to except a little brown envelope at the end of the month.

Until all costs of services are standardised and made public knowledge, prominently advertised at the offices involved with a hotline for those people ripped off to report corrupt officials for asking for more money then it will continue, also payments should be made by bank/card type transactions, anywhere where cash is involved trouble will not be far away.

But I know this is Thailand & nothing will change the graft culture.

[Thai at Heart]

What is it with all of these migrant labour corruption stories? This actually seems like a small effort to clean something up.

[dcutman]

What is it with all of these migrant labour corruption stories? This actually seems like a small effort to clean something up.

Only temporary for sure. The TIP review is coming. The effort being made, is staying off the tier 3 list, it got nothing to do with human rights.

[Thai at Heart]

What is it with all of these migrant labour corruption stories? This actually seems like a small effort to clean something up.

Only temporary for sure. The TIP review is coming. The effort being made, is staying off the tier 3 list, it got nothing to do with human rights.

Well, traficking boat people trumps selling id cards. They may well have to create a tier 4.

Government actively involved in people traficking. How bad can it get?

[Robby nz]

But in the north, that cant be right, thats PT country.

How are we going to pin this one on Dems?

[noitom]

Yesterday the newspaper printed that there was an ID card shortage and because of it the government agency would now charge for IDs. Today they are reporting corruption and bribery at the highest levels of national security involving breaches of Thai citizen data bases and information. Wow - these Thais!

[dcutman]

What is it with all of these migrant labour corruption stories? This actually seems like a small effort to clean something up.

Only temporary for sure. The TIP review is coming. The effort being made, is staying off the tier 3 list, it got nothing to do with human rights.

Well, traficking boat people trumps selling id cards. They may well have to create a tier 4.

Government actively involved in people traficking. How bad can it get?

I am not sure how bad it can get, but if/when we make the tier 3 list, we will most likely see how bad it has become. Thailand will have 90 days to come into compliance, or sanctions will kick in.

Or they might just say < Snip > it, we will work on it next year.

Edited January 23, 2013 by metisdead
: Profanity

[Fortunate1]

These state officials have betrayed their own country and endangered Thailand's national security for greed.

They should be named and shamed and dismissed from the service and not merely transferred. Unbelievable Thailand.

Thailand - get a grip of yourself!!

[patjem]

So that's why there is a shortage of ID cards for normal Thai citizens? All makes sense now!

I'm sure there's a stash of spare cards lurking somewhere.... ones that had to be handed in by Northern & Isaan villagers when they joined the Red Shirt Rally of 2010 in BKK.

[Bellweather]

Another crackdown, and again govt officials right in the middle of it. More than likely insufficient evidence will be found for prosecution.

DSI must be staffed by a cast of thousands considering all the work they take on. They are also looking at ex-Deputy PM Suthep for alleged corruption over building contracts.

[Thai at Heart]

What is it with all of these migrant labour corruption stories? This actually seems like a small effort to clean something up.

Only temporary for sure. The TIP review is coming. The effort being made, is staying off the tier 3 list, it got nothing to do with human rights.

Well, traficking boat people trumps selling id cards. They may well have to create a tier 4.

Government actively involved in people traficking. How bad can it get?

I am not sure how bad it can get, but if/when we make the tier 3 list, we will most likely see how bad it has become. Thailand will have 90 days to come into compliance, or sanctions will kick in.

Or they might just say &lt;deleted&gt; it, we will work on it next year.

Short of telling every company in the country to comply or face real sanctions, they can't put this huge mess away in 9000 days.

[LeeThayer]

Thailand, Hub of ID cards.

[Always18]

Of course, they could always just scrap ID cards..................in the UK we all know who we are and don't need a card to tell us!

[rubl]

Do I assume correctly that the blank I.D. cards are the same, but the price set for each category to be issued differs? Possibly a reflection of administrative costs (check paperwork and the like) and a bit of policy induced price setting?

[arthurboy]

A source at the DSI revealed that corruption... was widespread... and especially bad...

You don't say.

[belg]

can i buy one to get rid of this rediculous 90 day report and yearly begging scam at 1900 baht ?

[MILT]

Saw the motorcade in Chiangmai yesterday

[dcutman]

can i buy one to get rid of this rediculous 90 day report and yearly begging scam at 1900 baht ?

Not for 180k its a 5X Farang price for you.

[Soutpeel]

can i buy one to get rid of this rediculous 90 day report and yearly begging scam at 1900 baht ?

and you forgot to whine about not being able to own land as well...

[PETERTHEEATER]

.......and learned that officials continue this practice even after being transferred because the middlemen keep bringing them business.

The standard procedure. Transfer to an inactive post. Applies to all military and civil service jobs. When this becomes 'fired' with loss of pension rights then there might be an improvement.

[monty1412]

so they are going to crack down on issuance of these cards themselves or issuance of the cards at ridiculously high prices.. the first paragraph is a bit ambiguous

[BrianCR]

so they are going to crack down on issuance of these cards themselves or issuance of the cards at ridiculously high prices.. the first paragraph is a bit ambiguous

The price of course!! They have worked out that if they reduce the cost per card they can sell more then, with the DSI getting involved they can check that the money is being shared correctly and equally! They are even considering a promotion with a large supermarket chain - buy three kg of sugar, get 50% off a Thai ID card PLUS True will promise everything you want free!!! Now, that's marketing!!! .... Supported by our present Government ( ) ....and Mr. Appisit ( )

[surangw]

easier to get a fake than the genuine article

[Bagwan]

Of course, they could always just scrap ID cards..................in the UK we all know who we are and don't need a card to tell us!

But policemen have numbers in case they get lost.