On 20 November 2025, H.E. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, led a joint press conference with relevant agencies to announce the results of the “Tat Mok Wiang Haeng” operation, aimed at dismantling a corruption network involved in identity fraud and the unlawful granting of permanent residency to foreign nationals in Wiang Haeng District, Chiang Mai Province. The Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) participated in the operation, represented by Mr. Bhumivisan Kasemsook, Secretary-General of the PACC, and Pol. Lt. Col. Siripong Sritula, Deputy Secretary-General, alongside the Anti-Corruption Division (ACD), the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA). The press briefing took place at the Provincial Police Region 5 Headquarters in Nong Hoi, Mueang Chiang Mai.

The operation stemmed from a Cabinet Resolution dated 29 October 2024, which accelerated efforts to resolve nationality issues for a total of 483,626 persons (data as of 28 July 2024), comprising: 1. 340,101 minority/ethnic persons who migrated into Thailand (Cabinet Resolution 26 January 2021), and 2. 143,525 minority/ethnic persons born in Thailand (Cabinet Resolution 7 December 2016). However, in September 2025, evidence emerged indicating that certain state officials were soliciting bribes in exchange for the issuance of national ID cards in Chiang Mai Province. DOPA, working jointly with the PACC, ACD, NACC, and DSI, launched an investigation and uncovered substantial evidence showing that a group of state officials, including a district chief, district officers in charge of civil registration, temporary district employees, village heads, and foreign nationals, had conspired to fraudulently “match” undocumented foreign individuals with the names of eligible persons who qualified for permanent residency in Thailand.

The network facilitated the issuance of false certifications and unlawful approvals, enabling foreign nationals with no legal entitlement to obtain Thai ID cards and permanent residency status. Based on the collected evidence, the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 5 approved arrest warrants for the involved perpetrators.