Chinese woman arrested for 'fake Thai identity used to acquire lands to run durian businesses in Thailand'
A Chinese woman who allegedly used a fake Thai identity for 28 years to acquire land and run durian businesses has been arrested in southern Thailand.
Suporn, 41, reportedly obtained a Thai ID using false information before establishing a company to hold land under her name.
She registered Thai Singon International Co., Ltd. and acquired seven plots of land worth more than 57 million baht.
One of the properties was developed into a durian sorting and packing facility, which she leased to third parties to operate their businesses.
Police said Suporn was first registered in Yasothon province, before transferring and renewing her Thai ID nine times.
But investigations found that her original birth registration had allegedly been illegal.
Police arrested Suporn on October 29, after her civil registration record was revoked in July, meaning she was no longer recognised as a Thai national.
She faces charges of providing false information to officials, unlawfully registering in a household record, obtaining a national ID card without Thai nationality, illegally owning land as a foreigner, and staying in Thailand without permission.
Immigration Division 6 spokesman Police Colonel Charoenpong Khantilo said police have been instructed to intensify investigations into foreign nationals suspected of using Thai nominees to acquire land and operate businesses illegally.
He said: 'Investigations into foreigners' illicit activities remain focused on dismantling nominee networks and addressing illegal foreign land ownership, in accordance with the policies of the Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau.
‘These efforts have established an intelligence database that enables efficient investigations and arrests of foreigners committing offences within the country.
‘Furthermore, engaging with local communities and serving the public to alleviate suffering and promote well-being generates operational intelligence, which directly led to this arrest.'
