Thai police report 27 arrests in Surat Thani ID card fraud case on Sept 17
Surat Thani’s ID card fraud inquiry has led to warrants for 33 people, including four officials, over cards for those without civil registration status
- On September 17, Royal Thai Police arrested 27 people in Surat Thani connected to an identity card fraud network.
- The suspects are accused of unlawfully helping ineligible Myanmar nationals obtain Thai identity cards intended for people without civil registration status.
- The 27 arrests were made from a total of 33 court-approved warrants targeting state officials, certifying witnesses, and migrant workers.
Royal Thai Police announced on September 17, 2026 that 27 suspects had been arrested in an alleged civil-registration fraud network in Surat Thani, following court-approved arrest warrants for 33 people.
Police allege that brokers and registration officials helped Myanmar nationals obtain identity cards for people without civil registration status, commonly known as “zero-prefix” cards, despite being ineligible.
Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Samran Nualma outlined the results of Operation Pit Chak Rang Ngao 2 at a 10am briefing. Pol Gen Samran also heads the Royal Thai Police centre responsible for combating transnational crime and illegal immigration.
Joining the briefing were Pol Lt Gen Surapong Thanomjit, assistant national police chief, and Surat Thani governor Chumphot Wannachatsiri.
Participating agencies included the Department of Provincial Administration’s task force tackling security threats involving civil registration, known as DOPA N.I.C.E.; the Department of Special Investigation; the Anti-Money Laundering Office; and the Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission.
Police said the operation followed an urgent directive from Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to tackle civil-registration corruption systematically. National police chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet is overseeing implementation.
Don Sak investigation extends to Kanchanadit and Koh Samui
The investigation followed the first Pit Chak Rang Ngao Operation in Don Sak district, Surat Thani, on July 4, 2026. Further leads prompted investigators to examine civil-registration records in Kanchanadit and Koh Samui districts.
Investigators identified Myanmar nationals who already held passports or had records of registration as migrant workers. Police said these individuals were ineligible for cards intended for people without civil registration status, but brokers allegedly worked with registration officials to arrange their issuance unlawfully.
Arrest warrants cover 33 people in three groups
Investigators from Kanchanadit and Koh Samui police stations compiled evidence and obtained court approval for arrest warrants covering 33 people. Police divided the suspects into three groups:
- Four state officials: Accused of wrongfully performing or omitting official duties under Section 157 of the Penal Code, falsely certifying documents under Section 162, and offences under Section 50 of the Civil Registration Act.
- Ten householders and certifying witnesses: Accused of supporting official misconduct, making false statements and causing officials to enter false information in official documents. Police cited Sections 86, 157, 137 and 267 of the Penal Code and Section 50 of the Civil Registration Act.
- Nineteen migrant workers: Accused of supporting official misconduct, making false statements and, as non-Thai nationals, using false evidence to obtain civil registration unlawfully. Police cited Sections 86, 157, 137 and 267 of the Penal Code and the second paragraph of Section 50 of the Civil Registration Act.
Police report 27 arrests and investigate wider links
Police said 27 of the 33 people named in arrest warrants had been detained by the time of the briefing. The breakdown was:
Investigators said they had identified significant links between the Kanchanadit and Koh Samui registration offices, suggesting a wider network manipulating migrant workers’ registration status in Surat Thani and neighbouring provinces.
The Royal Thai Police said it would continue working with partner agencies to investigate networks that exploit civil-registration procedures and pose security risks.
Police stressed that Thailand provides lawful channels for foreign nationals to reside, work, operate businesses and apply for nationality. Authorities said they would act against the misuse of registration procedures.
Anyone with information about civil-registration corruption, nominee arrangements or payments accepted to arrange identity cards unlawfully can contact a local police station or the Royal Thai Police hotline, 1599, available 24 hours a day.
