CHIANG RAI, THAILAND – Governor Chucheep Phongchai has placed all districts on high alert following a massive corruption scandal involving manipulated student identities. The focus is on foreigners using fake data to infiltrate the so-called G-group in order to obtain Thai passports and social benefits. The province is now drastically expanding controls after a criminal network was exposed in the Wiang Kaen district.
Governor convenes crisis meeting
On June 19, 2026, Governor Chucheep Phongchai convened all district chiefs, police, the education office, and registration centers via video conference. At the Chiang Rai provincial hall, he and his deputy, Prasert Jitpleacheep, pulled the emergency brake, prompted by the “Operation G Tao Auslöschen” launched the previous day. Officials in the Wiang Kaen district had apprehended a corruption group facilitating foreigners’ entry into the G-group for money. This classification grants access to a 13-digit national identification number and, consequently, state assistance.
What lies behind the G-code
The so-called G-group, or G-code, is an official category for students through which identification numbers can be requested. In practice, it has become a loophole for criminals. Foreigners without genuine student status were registered as G-students to later claim a Thai ID and social benefits. This presents a dual problem for authorities: it undermines the credibility of the registration system and harms those genuinely entitled to benefits. Governor Chucheep made it clear that all districts must now re-examine the data of G-students.
Student data to be rigorously cleansed
The education office and all district administrations have been instructed to immediately update student records with G-status. Duplicate registration numbers are to be prevented, and legal proceedings for deletion will be initiated promptly in cases of missing genuine identity or expired educational status. The Chiang Rai Provincial Police and the regional registration management center are taking control of suspicious cases. The goal is to suppress misuse at the application stage.
31,196 G-students – almost 7000 with full ID
The current assessment from June 2026 reveals the full extent of the issue: a total of 31,196 students in Chiang Rai province fall under the G-code. Of these, 6,936 have already received a 13-digit identification number, while 21,824 are still in the process. 1,715 of the registered G-students could not be located at any educational institution, and 721 were definitively disqualified. These figures illustrate the significant gap in the system.
Mae Sai leads in misuse cases
An examination of the three most affected districts shows the epicenter of the corruption: Mae Sai leads with 7,455 cases, followed by Mae Fah Luang with 5,229 and Mueang Chiang Rai with 3,909. It appears that the misuse was particularly easy in Mae Sai, a crucial border crossing. These three districts are now being thoroughly investigated. Authorities suspect that criminal networks specifically targeted regions with large migrant populations.
Networks in focus – Operation expands
Following the arrest in Wiang Kaen on June 18, Operation “G Tao Auslöschen” is in full swing. Provincial police are now investigating further members of the smuggling network allegedly responsible for facilitating foreigners into the G-group for payment. Authorities are examining connections across district boundaries. Governor Chucheep Phongchai emphasized that all loopholes in the registration system will be closed, and no more loopholes should exist.
Databases are constantly cross-checked – Education office responsible
Chiang Rai province has pledged to monitor the registration database more closely in the future. Education authorities must report school leavers immediately and regularly update all student data before forwarding it to the Ministry of Education and the registration office. These measures are intended to ensure that only eligible students remain in the system and to prevent misuse through false information.