Immigration raid in Pattaya nets 15 Indian visa offenders

The operation was carried out under orders from Police Major General Songprod Sirisukha, Commander of Immigration Division 3, and Police Colonel Hrit Ekuru, Deputy Commander, following directives from the Royal Thai Police and the government to crack down on illegal foreign workers and visa overstayers.

Acting on intelligence reports of suspicious behaviour, a team led by Pol. Col. Naphasphong Khosit-suriyamanee, Chief of Chon Buri Immigration, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Kawinwat Arayasuriwong, Deputy Chief, conducted a raid on a residence in Soi Sukhumvit-Pattaya 57 on the night of November 17.

Officers first spotted several Indian men leaving the property under suspicious circumstances. Upon entering the house, police found several men occupying different rooms. While no illegal substances or weapons were discovered, the overcrowded living conditions raised red flags.

Officers suspected the house was being used as a makeshift shelter or staging point for undocumented foreign workers awaiting job placements in Pattaya.

Immigration checks revealed that 15 men had overstayed their visas, while two others held valid tourist visas. The pair are currently under investigation to determine whether they were genuinely visiting Thailand or involved in illegal work.

One of the men told police, through an interpreter, that an Indian broker had arranged for their travel to Thailand, offering promises of work in Pattaya. The group had reportedly been staying at the property since arrival, waiting for employment assignments while their visas quietly expired.

Officers believe the house may have served as a “waiting shelter” for foreign workers smuggled into the local labour market by job brokers, reported The Pattaya News.

Deportation proceedings have begun for the 15 overstayers. Immigration officials are now expanding their investigation in an effort to track down the brokers responsible for orchestrating the operation. If the two men with valid visas are found to be working illegally, their visas will be revoked and the men will be deported.