Thailand has introduced stricter rules for registering children born to foreign parents after investigators uncovered an alleged nationality fraud network believed to have secured Thai citizenship for more than 500 Chinese children.
The nationwide measures follow a series of arrests linked to the so-called “fake fathers” scheme, in which Thai men were allegedly paid to falsely acknowledge paternity on official documents.
Deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana said on Saturday that preventing corruption and misuse of the country’s civil registration system had become an urgent government priority.
The Ministry of Interior has instructed all 878 district offices to review their birth registration procedures immediately. Under the revised requirements, cases involving at least one foreign parent must include an in-person appearance before registration officials so identities and parental relationships can be properly verified.
Officials said the tighter controls were intended to prevent impersonation, forged documentation and other attempts to fraudulently obtain Thai nationality.
Ms Lalida said criminal groups could exploit citizenship rights to acquire property, operate businesses or launder illicit funds through people registered as Thai nationals.
The investigation intensified this week as police and the Department of Provincial Administration arrested suspected members of a network allegedly involving district officials, private hospital employees, Chinese mothers and Thai men recruited to pose as biological fathers.
The case emerged from a broader inquiry into Chinese national Chen Yin Lai, who was arrested in April 2024 on suspicion of laundering more than 70 billion baht through Thailand.
Investigators later discovered that Chen and his Chinese wife had three children registered as Thai nationals, prompting authorities to examine how their citizenship had been obtained.
Police believe the network arranged for Thai men to sign documents formally acknowledging paternity, allowing children born to Chinese parents to receive Thai nationality and the legal rights that accompany it.
Five Private Hospitals Under Investigation
Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Samran Nualma said more than 500 foreign children may have been improperly registered as Thai citizens.
Employees at five private hospitals in Bangkok are suspected of helping facilitate the registrations, he said, adding that at least 62 people had been connected to the alleged operation.
Police have so far arrested 27 suspects, comprising 12 women and 15 men. The group includes suspected fake fathers, Chinese mothers and people involved in hospital and district registration procedures.
They were initially detained at Bang Yi Ruea police station in Bangkok’s Thon Buri district before being brought before the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases.
The court denied bail to all 27 suspects on Saturday, citing the seriousness of the allegations and concerns over national security.
Twenty-six suspects applied for temporary release, while one did not submit a bail request. Police opposed their release.
Following the court’s ruling, the male suspects were transferred to Bangkok Remand Prison, while the women were taken to the Central Women’s Correctional Institution.
The suspects face charges under several provisions of the Criminal Code, the Civil Registration Act and the Organic Act on Counter Corruption.
Among those arrested were Sunee Satitmanotham, a birth registration officer at Samitivej Thonburi Hospital, and Siriporn Nidthim, a registrar at the Thon Buri district office. Both declined to comment while being fingerprinted on Friday.
Investigators are seeking a further 26 suspects accused of falsely claiming to be the fathers of foreign children. Authorities are also examining whether additional district officials and private hospital employees were involved.
Taxi driver Ongart Chaikulab, one of the suspects, admitted signing documents acknowledging paternity of two children but denied knowingly participating in an illegal scheme.
He said he was paid 2,000 baht on each occasion as compensation for income lost while he was away from driving his taxi.
Another suspect, Viroj Phumchaya, admitted signing paternity documents for four children belonging to two Chinese families.
He said he believed the families wanted to raise the children in Thailand but claimed he did not understand the broader legal consequences of his actions.
Links to Collapsed Audit Office Contractor
One of the suspected fake fathers is also facing charges of acting as a nominee shareholder in China Railway Number 10 (Thailand).
The company was involved in constructing the State Audit Office headquarters, which collapsed during the March 2025 earthquake, killing 95 people.
The suspects initially face allegations of assisting state officials in the wrongful performance or omission of official duties.
Police are awaiting DNA test results before deciding whether to request further arrest warrants, including warrants for Chen’s Chinese wife and a Thai man accused of falsely acknowledging paternity of the couple’s three children.
Investigators believe the DNA findings will provide important evidence as the inquiry continues to expand.
Wittoon Sirinukul, deputy director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration, warned that fraudulent birth registrations could grant foreign children the full legal benefits available to Thai citizens.
These include access to education, healthcare and welfare programmes, as well as rights relating to property ownership.
