Chiang dao: Police have arrested the deputy district chief of Chiang Dao, along with several accomplices, on charges of facilitating the fraudulent acquisition of Thai citizenship for foreigners.
According to Thai News Agency, a special operations unit from the Department of Provincial Administration, in conjunction with five other agencies, executed arrest warrants this morning as part of an operation to address the Chiang Dao smog crisis. The operation led to the apprehension of six individuals, including the deputy district chief and municipal officials in Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai Province. They are accused of fraudulently granting permanent residency permits and Thai citizenship to at least nine foreigners.
The arrests stem from an investigation that expanded after a Chinese national was detained during the "fog clearing" operation in Wiang Haeng on November 18, 2025. Authorities discovered that the Chinese national had transferred their domicile registration to Chiang Dao District. Further inquiries revealed a network of collusion between government officials and private individuals in issuing birth certificates that enabled the acquisition of Thai citizenship. The investigation remains active, with additional details expected to be disclosed later today.