Bangkok police have questioned another Chinese family and two Thai men as investigations continue into an alleged network involving Thai men who were reportedly paid to falsely register themselves as fathers of Chinese children.
The investigation has so far led to 35 arrest warrants being issued, with authorities continuing efforts to locate suspects believed to be linked to the scheme.
Police questioned Chinese nationals Chen Runxin, his partner Xiaochun Ma, their son Pakin Ma, and Chatchawan, a Thai man who was listed as the child’s father, on July 11.
Chatchawan’s partner and relatives of the Chinese family assisted with translation during the questioning process.
Chatchawan’s partner claimed that her sister-in-law, who is related to the Chinese family, had requested him to sign as the child’s father to help with school registration matters.
She said Chatchawan agreed out of sympathy and denied that any marriage registration had taken place, adding that only a paternity acknowledgement was made. She also claimed he did not receive any payment, unlike other individuals suspected of being involved in the wider operation.
Following the questioning, police detained Chen, Ma and Chatchawan before bringing them for a remand hearing at the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases on Monday.
Relatives of the Chinese family and Chatchawan are expected to apply for bail, although investigators have opposed their release and advised that the matter be raised during the court remand process.
In a separate development, police also questioned a 60-year-old man known as Bud, who was accused of acting as a “fake father” in the scheme.
When asked why he signed the paternity documents, Bud reportedly said he was unaware of the details and claimed he was instructed to do so by his employer.
Police confirmed that 35 arrest warrants had been approved on July 10 and said no additional warrants had been requested since then. Authorities are continuing to track down other suspects still at large.
