Bangkok: The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has launched a comprehensive inspection across all 50 districts to address corruption allegations linked to the issuance of Thai birth certificates to children of foreign nationals. This directive aims to strengthen regulations surrounding both birth and marriage registrations within the city.
According to Thai News Agency, the initiative follows orders from Bangkok Governor Chatchart Sittipunt, who has called for stringent oversight by district directors and relevant officials. This comes in the wake of media reports revealing the arrest of registration officials involved in fraudulent activities. These activities pertain to falsely listing foreign mothers' children as having Thai fathers, a case that has been associated with several private hospitals in Bangkok.
Governor Chatchart emphasized the necessity for supervisors at district offices to meticulously monitor birth certificate registrations. He highlighted the importance of incorporating legal scrutiny, discretion, and practical judgment to counter modern fraudulent schemes effectively.
Furthermore, the BMA has outlined urgent measures to prevent such fraudulent activities. A prominent initiative includes the formation of a large working group tasked with inspecting district offices. Led by the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the BMA, this group has already surveyed 31 districts from June 2, 2026, to July 7, 2026, without detecting any fraudulent cases similar to those discovered in the Thonburi district office.
Additionally, a thorough retrospective inspection dating back to 2017 has been mandated. All district offices are required to verify birth registration and issuance records for children from foreign mothers and purported Thai fathers. The investigation focuses on children born in private hospitals and requires detailed reporting by July 27, 2026. The review will assess the number of registrations, the accuracy of evidence, and the legitimacy of claims regarding the Thai father's background.
Legal actions are set to be pursued if any discrepancies or misconducts are identified. The BMA vows to address any findings decisively, adhering to the Ministry of Interior's guidelines. Furthermore, efforts to curb "sham marriage registrations" involving foreigners have also been intensified to safeguard the integrity of the registration process.