Bangkok: Authorities are hunting down a "Chinese baby boy" gang after arresting 32 individuals, with only 3 remaining at large. The investigation is expanding to include government officials and five private hospitals following suspicious birth registrations. A meeting of six agencies is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon to discuss whether the case involves "transnational organized crime."
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Ratwich Jitsujaritwong, Secretary of DOPA NICE, provided an update on the crackdown on the "Chinese Child" gang, or the group involved in illegally registering births. He stated that 32 individuals have been apprehended out of 35 arrest warrants. The arrested suspects are being interrogated at Bang Yi Ruea Police Station to determine their connections and the amount of money paid. They will then be fingerprinted and remanded to court. Investigators have opposed bail for all suspects, as the Chinese mothers have become aware of the investigation and have fled their residences with their children.
Regarding the case of a key Chinese investor, "Mr. Chen Yinlai," officials stated that he was arrested by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) in 2024 on charges of money laundering related to a call center scam. Further investigation, stemming from money transfers, led to the discovery that his wife, "Ms. Bao Jiao," had fled abroad with their three children some time ago. In Ms. Bao Jiao's case, "Mr. Montri," a resident of Lampang province, acted as a "surrogate father" and was already arrested and prosecuted during a previous "Operation Outsmart the Dragon" operation.
Regarding other individuals on the list, such as Mr. Parinya, he is believed to be one of the "fake fathers" who acted as fronts for certifying paternity for Chinese families. Officials are currently investigating his connections thoroughly, as some fake fathers have been found to be certifying paternity across families and falsely claiming paternity for more than one child. They are also planning to expand the investigation to 4-5 private hospitals, as significant clues were discovered during inspections of residences belonging to the Chinese investment network. In some homes, children whose names were not in the original database were found.
Further investigation revealed that these children were born at other private hospitals besides those previously reported. Initially, a list of 4-5 suspected private hospitals was identified. The system team is currently retrieving data from these hospitals to verify how many births were registered at these hospitals involving surrogate fathers (Thai men) and Chinese mothers.
Officials noted irregularities in the hospital's process, noting that typically, purchasing a maternity package and registering a birth involves rigorous verification of parents' documents and identity. However, in these cases, the father was not present during the actual delivery, yet his name appeared on the birth certificate, raising suspicions.
Regarding the issue raised by Ms. Siriporn's family in a media interview, where they claimed the accused official might be a "scapegoat" because he issued the birth certificate based on complete documentation, Mr. Ratwich stated that this excuse is unfounded. Government officials have a duty to exercise discretion and thoroughly verify the accuracy of the applications. However, the investigation revealed that the involved official neglected his duty and allowed an outsider, Ms. Sunee, to process all the documents on his behalf. This practice was not limited to just one or two cases but was found in numerous similar instances, leading to the belief that Ms. Sunee was complicit. A thorough investigation into the district's processes and application handling system will be conducted to pursue further legal action.
According to the investigation, 35 arrest warrants have been issued for individuals involved in the Chinese child trafficking ring. To date, 32 have been arrested, leaving 3 at large. One (Ms. Bao Jiao) has fled abroad, while the other two are being pursued.
Regarding the expansion of the investigation to include the five hospitals and other government officials, and whether anyone else will be held accountable, the investigating team stated that so far, only one government official in the Thonburi area has been found guilty. However, if others are found to be involved, the investigation will be expanded to include other hospitals. Tomorrow's multi-agency meeting will provide more clarity, as all the data is held by the Department of Provincial Administration, which will need to be reviewed further.
However, tomorrow at 1:30 PM, a meeting of six agencies will be held at the Investigation Division, Metropolitan Police Division 8. The agencies attending include the police, the Department of Provincial Administration, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), and the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC). Representatives from the Office of the Attorney General will also be invited to the meeting to discuss important legal issues, particularly whether the case falls under the category of "transnational organized crime," as well as to develop appropriate guidelines and measures for handling hundreds of similar cases awaiting further investigation in the future.