Mae Sot “10-Year Card” Case Operation, Suspects Searched and Arrested

In Mae Sot Township, Tak Province, Thailand, police forces and relevant authorities have jointly conducted an operation to arrest individuals in connection with the illegal issuance of "10-Year Cards" to foreigners. On the morning of August 4, over 130 police officers were dispatched to the Mae Sot Police Station, and suspects were searched for and arrested based on 13 arrest warrants and two wanted announcements. It is understood that the operation involved the Mae Sot District Police Force, the Immigration Department, special units of the Ministry of Interior, and anti-terrorism and security units. Officials stated that among the targeted individuals for arrest were one former and two current municipal employees of Mae Sot Township, as well as 12 foreigners involved in obtaining the "10-Year Cards." The case is related to the illegal issuance of identification cards (Zero Head Cards) to individuals not officially registered in Thailand, and investigations are underway to determine potential links to human trafficking networks. A press conference is scheduled to be held at the Mae Sot Immigration Office at 10:30 AM on August 4, following the arrests. It is understood that the press conference will be attended by the Deputy Minister of the Thai Ministry of Interior, heads of the administrative department, police officials, and the governor of Tak Province. Mae Sot is an important trade and migrant worker transit area on the Myanmar-Thailand border, with a large number of migrants from Myanmar residing and working there. Thai authorities have recently been strictly investigating and taking action against illegal residency, human trafficking, and the issuance of counterfeit documents in border areas.