Migrant workers in Thailand exploit their children to gain citizenship rights

“Yesterday we focused on Din Daeng. The probe will expand to other areas where such activities are likely to be occurring,” Worasit said. “This concerns security because when they can travel conveniently and have freedom they would not normally have in their everyday life, they may carry out many more activities,” he said, referring to migrants.

The Bangkok case involved Category 7 ID registration and the issuance of “pink cards”, which normally cover children born in Thailand to documented migrant workers listed in a local household registration. Worasit said migrant children with pink ID cards have many rights enjoyed by Thai citizens and can eventually seek Thai nationality.

The nationwide probe will cover bogus household registration, pink ID card issuance and birth registrations of migrant children claimed to have Thai fathers and migrant mothers. Worasit said police, provincial and local administrators, and anti-money laundering officials would join the inquiry, adding: “Anyone who abuses the registration system must face legal action. No one will be spared.”