Chinese man and 23 Burmese nationals arrested for working without permits
Police arrested 23 Burmese citizens and a Chinese man for working at a construction site in Samut Prakarn province without work permits. The Chinese man reportedly joined the team only three days before his arrest.
The crackdown on illegal businesses operated by foreigners and illegal foreign workers is ongoing across the country, particularly in places where there is heavy industry such as Chon Buri, Samut Prakarn, and Bangkok.
Officers from Samut Prakarn Provincial Immigration Bureau received a tip-off that some illegal workers were employed at a construction site in the Bang Phli district of the province. Officers conducted a raid on the area yesterday and apprehended the 24 illegal workers.
When the police arrived at the scene, the group of illegal workers attempted to depart quietly. However, the officers were able to apprehend them before they could escape.
Upon inspection, it was discovered that there were no Thai workers present, and the sole Chinese individual, Ning Shuqi, identified himself as the construction manager. Unfortunately, he was unable to produce a valid work permit, possessing only a tourist visa indicating that he entered Thailand on April 24.
According to one of the Burmese workers, Shuqi had arrived at the site three days prior to the arrest. Despite the language barrier, he would use gestures to direct the workers.
Shuqi was charged with violating Section 51 of the Alien Working Act for working without permission. The penalty for this offence may include imprisonment for up to five years, a fine ranging from 2,000 to 100,000 baht, or both.
The 23 Burmese workers have been charged with two offences. Firstly, they were charged with violating Section 51 of the Alien Working Act for working without permission. Secondly, they were charged with violating Section 54 of the Immigration Act for staying in the country without permission or for remaining after their visa had expired or been revoked.
All of the illegal workers will face prosecution and deportation from Thailand.
The apprehension of illegal foreign workers and businesses remains a top priority for the police department.
Two days ago, the Chon Buri Provincial Immigration Bureau reported that they arrested six Chinese nationals who worked without work permits at the paper box company called Lihua Environmental Technology in the Baan Bueng district of Chon Buri. Another Chinese doctor was also arrested on the same day for offering herbal medicine to Thai people without permission.
Aside from the illegal business operation and illegal workers, Thai police also managed to crack down on the Chinese scamming gang that sold fake gold to wealthy Thai citizens on Monday, April 24. Six members of the gang were arrested, and further investigation into the case was conducted to crack down on the whole network.
