UPON being alerted by Chinese immigration officials, the Thai Department of Special Investigation (DSI) mounted a search in Chiang Rai for foreigners who had illegally assumed Thai identity and started companies here and netted 255 suspects, INN News reported today (26.5.2020).
The police action arose after Chinese immigration officials found out that Mr Kaew Saelee held two passports, one Thai and the other Chinese, and a check by Thai immigration officials revealed that he had taken over the identity of a living Thai person. This occurred at Wiang Kaen district where the former district chief is working as an assistant registrar.
DSI then contacted the Department of Provincial Administration and a check with the Office of Registration Administration revealed 255 more suspects. The department will now revoke Thai citizenship and start criminal proceedings against all the offenders.
The list of 255 suspects has been sent to the Forensic Science Institute to compare their fingerprints with what was taken when the ID cards were made.
A further check of the database at the Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce, found that 15 were carrying out businesses prohibited to foreigners as officially registered juristic persons of 19 companies.
One suspect had registered as the juristic person of three companies with registered capital of not less than 3.6 billion baht. As this amount is in excess of 100 million baht this is considered a special case which DSI is continuing to probe.
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Top: DSI police and provincial officials discussing this case. Photo: INN News