Chiang mai: Officials arrested a district chief and head of the Chiang Mai Region 5 Registration Administration Center after being accused of charging excessive fees for ID cards for non-Thai nationals for nearly 3 years, totaling a difference of more than 3 million baht.
According to Thai News Agency, police from the Anti-Corruption Division, along with NACC and Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission officers, jointly arrested Mr. Boonyarit, District Chief of San Sai, Chiang Mai, acting as the Chief of the Region 5 Registration Administration Center, Chiang Mai Branch. The arrest was made in accordance with an arrest warrant issued by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, Region 5, on charges of demanding or agreeing to accept property or other benefits inappropriately and neglecting official duties.
The arrest followed a complaint from a foreign labor broker, who reported that Mr. Boonyarit charged 200 baht for issuing non-Thai national ID cards, known as pink cards, instead of the official fee of 60 baht, with an additional 20 baht for a copy. The broker alleged that those who did not pay the full amount faced delays or denial of appointments. It was discovered that since Mr. Boonyarit took over as the head of the registration center, more than 30,000 foreign workers had been overcharged, accumulating over 3 million baht.
Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew, deputy commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, led a search of Mr. Boonyarit's residence in San Sai district. Investigators seized over 1,200,000 baht in cash, 6 bankbooks, and 5 land title deeds. These items were taken to trace the financial trail for potential links to corruption. Mr. Boonyarit claimed the seized assets were a family inheritance.
During a brief statement to the Thai News Agency, Mr. Boonyarit neither accepted nor denied the allegations, stating that the matter is still under investigation.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Charoonkiat Pankaew, along with NACC and PACC officers, announced the arrest, noting that although the suspect denies the charges, officers are confident in their evidence. The investigation is being expanded to determine if others were involved in the scheme.