Nearly 200 Myanmar Children Falsely Registered in Thailand, Raising Child Protection Concerns
Almost 200 children are reportedly registered as living in small flats in Bangkok, where their identities were used in an alleged corruption scheme, and where there are serious flaws in the registration system.
Investigators found 64 foreign children were registered as residents of a single flat in Bangkok’s Din Daeng district, although they were not actually living there. To date, almost 200 children have been identified in such registrations, and other properties are being investigated.
The fake registrations allegedly provided a paper trail that could be used by foreign nationals to get a pink identification card and certain public services. Authorities also said such records might also be used in future applications for Thai citizenship.
Two officials from the Din Daeng District Office, alleged brokers and residents of the flats have been arrested after a raid. Authorities are looking into the part played by officials and others in falsifying registration records.
The case highlights the issue of children’s identity and official records being misused without their awareness, from a child protection perspective. Accurate birth, residency and identity records are vital to children’s access to education, healthcare, nationality rights and other protections.
The case also illustrates the dangers to children when corruption is present in systems that are supposed to protect their identity and access to vital services.
Thai police have cautioned that such activities may be taking place in other parts of the country, and have broadened their investigation.
The scandal underscores the importance of enhanced regulation of registration systems, accountability for officials and measures to ensure that children’s identities are not used for fraudulent purposes for child protection advocates.
