BANGKOK, Thailand – Thai authorities have arrested seven individuals, including three local government officials, for allegedly operating a ring that fraudulently registered foreign nationals for official non-Thai identity cards, authorities said on Tuesday. Joint enforcement agencies launched an investigation after discovering irregular registrations of nearly 2,500 foreigners, mostly migrant workers and minors, under house registries at a public housing estate in Bangkok’s Din Daeng district since 2024. Inspections revealed that up to 140 foreign nationals were falsely listed as residents in single small apartment units.
According to officials, the operation involved foreign and Thai brokers paying local registration staff to input fraudulent entries into the civil registration database. The issued non-Thai identity cards—commonly known as “pink cards”—grant temporary legal status, allowing holders to access public services, open bank accounts, and apply for work permits. The arrested officials have been dismissed from service pending further disciplinary and legal proceedings. Financial audits revealed direct money transfers from brokers to district registry staff. Authorities said all fraudulent entries are being revoked and transferred to the central house registry as investigations expand to other districts. (TNA)
