PMs’ visit puts pressure on illegals

PHUKET TOWN: The weekend visit to Phuket by Singapore’s Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, who arrives this evening, has triggered a crackdown by police on illegal immigrants. The Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, Pol Lt Gen Chanwut Watcharapook, said last night that aliens would be repatriated to get rid of troublemakers and to make Thailand a safer place. He said the National Commissioner of Police, Pol Gen San Sarutanon, had instigated the operation and that locally it would involve Phuket Provincial Immigration Office carrying out checks on suspected illegal aliens. This would consist of rounding up illegal workers, beggars and anyone suspected of having connections with terrorist organizations. Meanwhile, Gen San, who is also in Phuket to ensure security for the summit between PM Goh and Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said, “Everything is ready for us to welcome Prime Minister Goh and his party.” He added that the campaign to arrest and extradite illegal aliens would continue in coming weeks.