Bangkok: Interior Minister 4 has launched a significant crackdown on a criminal network impersonating residents of Din Daeng flats, ordering immediate disciplinary and criminal action against the involved officials. Deputy Minister Worasit led a comprehensive team from multiple agencies, including the Provincial Administration, Police, Anti-Corruption Commission, and Anti-Money Laundering Office, to announce the results of "Operation Cleanup in the Heart of Bangkok." This operation dismantled a network involved in fraudulently registering foreign nationals' addresses in Din Daeng flats, aiming to protect the interests and rights of Thai citizens by expanding investigations against the "Father Thip" network.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Worasit Liengprasit, Deputy Minister of Interior, chaired a press conference highlighting the "Clean Up the City" operation's success in tackling the fraudulent registration of foreign nationals' addresses in Din Daeng flats. The operation's goal was to prevent the unlawful acquisition of identity cards for stateless persons. The press conference was attended by key figures, including Mr. Narucha Khosasilai, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration; Pol. Gen. Siam Boonsom, Commander of the Metropolitan Police; and other high-ranking officials. The joint effort underscores the government's commitment to safeguarding national security and public order.
Mr. Worasit emphasized that the crackdown was initiated under the directive of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, who underscored the importance of addressing this national security threat. The fraudulent activities not only deprived Thai citizens of their rights and welfare but also posed a risk to the economy and society. The operation stemmed from an initial case in Wang Noi District, where anomalies in civil registration fraud were discovered. Investigations revealed excessive registrations in Din Daeng flats, with some rooms housing an implausibly high number of residents, indicating systemic fraud.
The Deputy Minister highlighted the involvement of Myanmar brokers working with Thai counterparts and government officials to facilitate the issuance of illegal identity cards. These actions threatened the integrity of the civil registration database and could potentially lead to fraudulent claims for government benefits and citizenship. In response, the Ministry of Interior has suspended the involved officials and revoked the fraudulent registration entries. The crackdown is set to expand to other areas, signaling the government's zero-tolerance approach to such violations.
Mr. Worasit assured the public that the investigation into registration fraud is ongoing and will be thorough, targeting similar fraudulent activities across the country. The crackdown is not limited to document forgery but extends to ensuring national security and preventing the misappropriation of resources meant for Thai citizens. Despite the rigorous enforcement, Thailand remains open to foreigners participating in legal activities, with equal prosecution for those involved in illegal acts, regardless of nationality.