Authorities have dismantled a network that allowed Rohingyas from Myanmar to illegally obtain Thai identity cards reserved for stateless persons.
On 16 September, a joint operation was carried out in Koh Samui under the direction of Amorn Chumchua, head of the investigation group at DOPA N.I.C.E., Thanawat Intharasuwan, and police commissioner Col. Panya Niratimanon. Thirteen targets suspected of identity fraud were targeted.
Twelve people were arrested or surrendered: two public officials, including a former secretary of the Koh Samui municipality and a civil registry officer, four Thai accomplices and seven Myanmar nationals. One of the main suspects, Sathit Chuchuea, presented himself to the authorities.
The network brought in Rohingyas with valid passports, which it then presented as lacking any documents in order to obtain registration and a pink card (card with a number starting with 0) issued by the local administration.
These cards allow holders to access certain basic services, such as healthcare or opening a telephone line, but confer neither Thai nationality nor the right to vote.
Thanawat Intharasuwan stated that the operation followed reports and a previous similar case in Surat Thani province. He recalled that the Ministry of the Interior intends to crack down firmly on any attempt at identity fraud.
Source : Dailynews