Phuket’s illegal immigrants given 30 days to register

PHUKET: Foreign laborers currently working illegally in the fishing industry in the Andaman region have been given 30 days to register with the Labor Department and Immigration in order for them to work legally in and around Phuket.

Those who do not register during the grace period from July 1 to July 30 face deportation if they are caught working illegally after the July 30 deadline.

The announcement was made during a seminar at the Phuket Merlin Hotel yesterday attended by regional authorities, including heads of the the Third Area Naval Command, the Labor Department, Immigration and provincial fishery associations.

The issue of the region’s population of illegal migrant workers entering Thailand by sea and working illegally in the Andaman region was the main focus of discussions during the Phuket seminar.

According to Admiral Sarayut Deangthed, in cases where illegal workers were unable to register because they were already out at sea, the grace period would be extended for another 60 days after the July 30 deadline.

“There are an estimated 3.5 million foreign laborers in Thailand. In Phuket there are about 200,000,” Admiral Sarayut said.

According to figures provided by the Navy, a total of 768 illegal workers were apprehended in the Andaman region between January and April.

— Tipwarintron Tanaakarachod