Thai royal police recently reported that they and relevant Interior Ministry departments conducted a three-phase operation to investigate suspected cases in which birth registration and nationality were secured for foreign children through false parent-child relationships. Investigators have identified 1,483 children with suspicious registrations involving eight hospitals and have made 67 arrests. Police stressed that the 1,483 individuals are subjects pending verification and do not represent a confirmed number of fraudulent cases.
During the third phase of the investigation, police conducted DNA comparisons for 24 children and found that the Thai fathers listed on their birth registrations were not their biological fathers. The related cases involved a medical student, a programmer and a graduate in industrial engineering. Police said one registered father admitted that he had received 5,000 baht to arrange a marriage registration. The amount was specific to that case and was not a confirmed uniform fee.
Police suspect that false registrations have been used to help foreign children obtain Thai nationality. The investigation will continue to trace intermediaries, other individuals involved and the flow of funds, as well as determine whether corporate nominee holdings and asset transfers are involved. The Thai side said it will review the relevant birth registrations and nationalities under the law; whether they are revoked will depend on the investigation and legal proceedings.
