Thai authorities announced the results of Operation “สยบภัยไชยปราการ” at the Chiang Mai Provincial Police Station on August 26, 2026, targeting a decade-long corruption ring that allegedly issued fraudulent civil registration cards and white identification cards known as "Zero Cards" to foreign nationals.
Did You Know? According to the investigation, the fraudulent issuing of Zero Cards involved a method where applicants used scotch tape over their fingers or pressed only the edges of their fingers during biometric scanning to bypass existing migrant worker databases.
Investigation Reveals Decade-Long Registration Fraud in Chiang Mai
According to a local PACC source monitoring the case long-term, the scheme operated between 2016 and 2020. Investigators found that three registrar district officers—two of whom are now deceased while one remains alive—issued 5,044 “Zero Cards” or white identification cards to individuals in the area. Among those recipients, 23 cases involved foreign nationals assuming illicit rights, consisting of 22 Myanmar nationals and one Chinese national, though authorities have not yet determined how the Chinese national bypassed the system.
According to the source, two of the deceased registrar officers previously engaged in similar corrupt practices while stationed in Wiang Hang before expanding their operations to neighboring areas.
Methods Used to Bypass Migrant Databases
Under standard regulations, displaced Thais or individuals born in Thailand without proper registration receive a Zero Card to access basic rights such as education, healthcare, and employment while undergoing nationality verification. However, investigators discovered that foreign nationals ineligible for these cards were added to household registration lists with the cooperation of homeowners who have since faced legal prosecution.
Local officials including village heads, kamnans, and a deputy mayor allegedly signed documentation falsely certifying that these foreign nationals resided in the villages. Once certified, registrars issued the Zero Cards, making foreign workers appear as eligible, overlooked Thai citizens.
Financial Motivations and Future Implications
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Zero Card?
A Zero Card, or white card, is an identification document issued to individuals without registration status in Thailand to grant access to basic rights like healthcare and education while they undergo nationality verification.
Which agencies collaborated on Operation “สยบภัยไชยปราการ”?
How many fraudulent cards were issued according to investigators?
A local PACC source stated that three registrar officers issued 5,044 Zero Cards between 2016 and 2020, with 23 of those cases involving foreign nationals who improperly assumed rights.