Koh Samui officials linked to alleged ID card fraud

Koh Samui officials are under investigation for their alleged involvement in a pink card fraud scheme, according to local authorities. The Department of Provincial Administration's N.I.C.E. unit, along with Surat Thani police and Koh Samui officials, conducted raids on September 16 in which 12 suspects were arrested or surrendered.

A former senior municipal official stated he would surrender on September 17. The suspects include a municipal ID card officer, four Thai individuals accused of supporting the scheme, and seven Rohingya nationals, identified as Myanmar nationals. Prosecutors allege that the Myanmar nationals held valid passports but falsely presented themselves as having no identity documents to obtain so-called zero-number pink cards.

These identification cards are issued to non-Thai nationals and enable them to perform various activities in Thailand, including dealing with hospitals, government offices, and banks. The pink card fraud investigation began following an earlier operation in Don Sak district, Surat Thani, where similar allegations were made involving Rohingya residents.

The registration officer and four Thai suspects who surrendered were granted bail, while the seven Myanmar nationals did not receive bail. The Department of Provincial Administration stated it would continue investigating registration fraud involving foreign nationals and warned of potential further action against those aiding in improper acquisition of civil-registration status.