Law
Sakontee Phatthiyakul Calls for Crackdown on 'Ghost Father' Registration Schemes
The House Committee on Public Health is investigating fraudulent birth registration schemes involving foreign nationals, raising concerns about long-term administrative integrity.
Sakontee Phatthiyakul, a party-list MP and Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party, has urged authorities to dismantle the so-called 'Ghost Father' (Por Thip) networks. Serving as the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Health, Sakontee stated that the committee has initiated formal discussions with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Department of Provincial Administration to address the issue.
The investigation centers on allegations that foreign nationals are illegally obtaining Thai birth registration documents by falsely claiming paternity. Sakontee expressed concern that these fraudulent registrations could potentially allow non-citizens to gain access to rights reserved for Thai nationals, including future eligibility for political office.
For residents and expatriates, this development highlights an ongoing government effort to tighten administrative oversight regarding civil registration and identity documentation. While the committee is actively reviewing the scope of these fraudulent activities, the full extent of the 'Ghost Father' network and the specific number of compromised records remain under investigation. Authorities have not yet announced specific policy changes or impacts on existing legal residents, and the public is advised to monitor official government channels for updates regarding potential changes to registration verification processes.