Bangkok: The Royal Thai Police and the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS), in collaboration with DOPA NICE, are exposing the "Thai Thip Father" scam, which involved the fraudulent use of identities for nearly 1,500 foreign children. They raided a private hospital and arrested four suspects.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Gen. Samran Nuanma, Deputy Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police, along with Pol. Lt. Gen. Nophasil Phoolsawat, Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police Headquarters, and other senior police officials led a force in an operation to dismantle a drug trafficking ring. Authorities apprehended four individuals involved in the illegal birth registration scheme for over 1,500 foreign children, including two Thais, Mr. Mong and Mr. Wor, and two Chinese nationals, Ms. Si and Mr. Hu. Searches were conducted at various locations, including a residence in Huai Khwang, a private hospital, and a district office to gather further evidence.
Pol. Gen. Samran stated that investigations revealed a smuggling ring assisting children of foreigners in obtaining Thai citizenship by hiring Thai men who were not the biological fathers to register the children as their own. This allowed the children to receive birth certificates, household registration, national ID cards, and other rights as Thai citizens, all based on false information.
An investigation by the Royal Thai Police and DOPA NICE task force uncovered information on over 1,483 suspected children linked to eight hospitals. Initial investigations identified 62 suspected children; 19 have been confirmed to have engaged in fraud.
The operation involved inspecting a private hospital in the Rama 9 area, where three children were identified as suspected of fraud. Two cases were confirmed fraudulent, while the third is under investigation. DOPA NICE filed a complaint with Huai Khwang Police Station for prosecution.
Police gathered evidence, including interviews, medical records, and DNA tests. They discovered that a Chinese couple wanted their children to have Thai citizenship and contacted a brokerage group to find Thai men to act as the fathers. Two Thai men, Mr. Mong and Mr. Wor, were hired. Mr. Wor had a criminal record for drug offenses and gambling. Police believe this is a coordinated operation exploiting loopholes in the child registration system.
Ms. C, a Chinese mother, explained tearfully that she did not hire a Thai surrogate father. She stated that she loves Thailand and wanted her child to have Thai citizenship, claiming she was unaware of the illegality.
Mr. Hu, Ms. Xi's Chinese husband, refused an interview, stating only that he "knew nothing about or was unaware of the Chinese youth movement."
Pol. Gen. Samran revealed that all suspects are being prosecuted on charges of making false statements, using forged documents, and fraudulently registering citizens. The registrar has revoked the fraudulent citizenships. The Immigration Bureau may take legal action against foreign nationals involved.
Mr. Narucha Khosasilvilai, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, stated that they discovered irregularities in the civil registration database, confirming the fraudulent use of a Thai father. Today's operation was to warn government and medical personnel against engaging in activities that violate regulations.
Dr. Arkhom Praditsuwann, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health Service Support, stated that the Department is investigating the birth certificate issuance process to prevent future occurrences. Hospital administrators are responsible for supervising medical personnel to ensure compliance with the law and ethics.
The operation to dismantle the "Thai Tip Father" network identified 22 suspected children and arrested 37 perpetrators. The Royal Thai Police will continue to crack down on such networks to protect the civil registration system and maintain national security, urging public cooperation through the 1599 hotline.