Thailand has ordered registry offices nationwide to step up checks on marriage registrations as part of a sham marriage crackdown targeting foreign nationals, minority groups and people without civil registration status.
The Department of Provincial Administration said the measures are intended to prevent fraudulent marriage registrations and stop criminal groups from using official documents to obtain rights or benefits unlawfully in Thailand.
Narucha Kosacivilize, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, said technology-related crime and transnational criminal networks were increasingly using registration systems and government documents as part of illegal activity.
One method identified by officials is sham marriage registration, where a marriage is registered to gain legal rights or benefits rather than as a genuine relationship.
The department said such cases could affect national security and undermine confidence in Thailand’s civil registration system.
Foreign-Thai marriages face closer checks
On 22 May, the department sent a letter to all provincial governors instructing registry offices across the country to strictly follow measures designed to prevent corruption in marriage registration.
District registry offices, Bangkok district offices and local registry offices have been told to carefully examine marriage registration applications, known as Kor Ror 1, as well as the qualifications of both applicants.
The screening measures focus on three groups: general foreign nationals, minority and ethnic groups, and people without civil registration status.
For foreign nationals, officials have been instructed to strictly check documents certified by the authorities in the person’s country of origin, or their passport.
Minority and ethnic groups covered by the measures include category 6 persons, groups 50 to 72, and category 7 persons. People without civil registration status include those in code groups 0-89 and 0-00.
Measures aimed at preventing false registrations
The department said registrars must increase scrutiny at every stage to prevent identity fraud and the use of legal loopholes.
Officials have been told to check marriage history in real time through the marriage registration database to confirm that applicants are not already married.
If there are grounds to suspect a sham marriage, registrars may separately interview each applicant to prevent them from coordinating their answers.
The department also said foreign nationals’ certificates of single status must be translated and certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A new three-language investigation statement form, known as Por Kor 14, will also be used in Thai, English and Chinese. The form will clearly state the criminal penalties for giving false information to officials.
Registrars may refuse suspicious applications
Narucha said registrars may refuse to register a marriage immediately if there are reasonable grounds to believe it is a sham marriage.
Officials must explain the legal reasons for any refusal, while applicants still have the right to appeal or pursue the matter through the justice system.
The department also instructed officials at all levels to work honestly and transparently. Officials are prohibited from demanding or accepting any benefit other than legal fees.
If corruption is found, or if officials are found to have assisted offenders, disciplinary action will be taken and the Department of Provincial Administration must be informed immediately.
