Pattaya police raid reveals 21 Burmese living illegally
In Pattaya, a police raid led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Weerachai Thinkhamut, Superintendent of the Immigration Police for Chon Buri province, resulted in the arrest of 21 Burmese nationals living illegally in rented properties on Soi Kho Phai. The operation, which took place around midday yesterday, April 24, was instigated following complaints from locals about the disruptive behaviour of the Burmese nationals.
The two residences in question are located near each other. During the raid, the police discovered 21 Burmese individuals, 19 men and two women, who were without passports or visas.
Thiraphong Chonnabot, a resident living next to one of the raided properties, shared his relief with local media following the police operation. He recounted continuous disturbances caused by the occupants, stating they were frequently noisy and active throughout the night.
Somphoch Cheablam, the caretaker of the properties, was appointed by an unidentifiable owner residing in Chon Buri. The owner had recently acquired the properties, which were unoccupied before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Somphoch disclosed that he had rented the properties to a group of Burmese nationals who held valid passports and visas. Charging them 2,000 baht (US$54) per month, with a 1,000 baht (US$27) deposit, Cheablam stated that these tenants had subsequently invited friends, lacking the appropriate legal documentation, to reside in the properties. He confessed his inability to monitor the influx of unauthorised occupants, reported The Pattaya News.
Pol. Lt. Col. Weerachai revealed that the owner of the properties would be penalised for neglecting to report the presence of foreign nationals to the police within a 24-hour timeframe. The arrested individuals will be processed at Pattaya Police Station before being deported to Myanmar.
In related news, a crackdown on foreign-operated car and bike rental businesses suspected of using nominee shareholders has been initiated by police in Phuket. The campaign was inaugurated with a raid on a rental enterprise in Moo 7, Srisoonthorn on March 19.
