Bangkok: The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has initiated an extensive inspection across all 50 districts to tackle allegations of corruption involving the issuance of Thai birth certificates to children of foreign nationals. This move comes as part of efforts to tighten regulations on both registration and marriage registration processes.
According to Thai News Agency, Governor Chatchart Sittipunt, during the 7th/2026 meeting of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration agency heads, directed district directors and relevant officials to address the issue following reports of registration officials being arrested for fraudulent activities. These activities involved registering births and issuing Thai citizenship certificates to children of foreign mothers with falsely claimed Thai fathers, a situation linked to several private hospitals in Bangkok.
Governor Chatchart stressed the importance of district office supervisors closely monitoring their officials' work during birth certificate registrations. He underscored the need for legal checks, discretion, and feasibility in decision-making to counteract the scams employed by fraudsters.
The meeting highlighted the progress of strict measures taken to tackle the problem. The BMA has formed a large working group to investigate and resolve irregularities in the registration and national identity card process, led by the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the BMA. Between June 2, 2026, and July 7, 2026, inspections were conducted in 31 district offices, with no fraudulent cases found similar to those in the Thonburi district office.
The BMA has also ordered a comprehensive retrospective inspection dating back to January 1, 2017. District offices must verify birth registration and issuance records for children born to foreign mothers and Thai fathers, particularly those born in private hospitals. Reports covering the number of birth registrations, accuracy, and registrar performance must be submitted by July 27, 2026. Investigations will focus on detecting any abnormalities regarding the Thai father's background.
To further prevent fraud, the BMA's Department of Local Administration and Registration has issued a circular to tighten controls on "sham marriage registrations" with foreigners. Officials must verify identities rigorously and investigate any suspected fraudulent intent. Actions are to be taken in cases of identified misconduct, in compliance with the Ministry of Interior's guidelines.