Piyarat Urges Government to Fund DNA Testing for 'Fake Thai Father' Crackdowns
MP Piyarat Jongthep has criticized the government for failing to provide adequate funding for DNA testing, forcing police to pay out-of-pocket to combat illegal citizenship schemes.
According to a report by Matichon Online on October 28, 2026, Piyarat Jongthep, a Member of Parliament, has publicly urged the Thai government to increase financial support for police operations involving DNA testing. These tests are critical for dismantling criminal networks involved in 'fake Thai father' schemes, where individuals fraudulently claim paternity to secure Thai citizenship or residency rights.
Piyarat criticized the administration for allegedly taking credit for successful crackdowns while failing to provide the necessary operational budget. He highlighted that law enforcement officers are currently forced to use their own personal funds to cover the costs of DNA analysis, which is essential for verifying biological relationships in these investigations.
For residents and expatriates, this issue underscores ongoing government efforts to tighten immigration and civil registration oversight. While the government has expressed a commitment to addressing these fraudulent activities, the lack of institutional funding raises questions about the sustainability and efficiency of these enforcement efforts. It remains to be confirmed how the government will respond to these demands for budget reallocation and whether additional resources will be officially allocated to support these police investigations in the near future.
