Eight Chinese nationals arrested for illegal work in Phuket
Thai police yesterday apprehended eight Chinese nationals illegally working as contractors at a construction site in Thalang district, Phuket. The operation, carried out by the Immigration Bureau in collaboration with local security forces, followed a tip-off from a concerned citizen.
Upon arrival at the construction site in Thep Krasattri subdistrict, yesterday, February 24, police encountered over 10 foreign people. When approached, these people attempted to flee.
The officers successfully detained eight of them, all of whom were identified as Chinese nationals. They confessed to working as contractors at the site, receiving monthly wages between 25,000 and 30,000 baht (US$745 and 890).
These people had entered Thailand on tourist visas (category P.60 M.17), which were still valid at the time of arrest. However, they were charged with working without proper authorisation.
Their rights were read to them and they were handed over to the Thalang Police Station for further legal proceedings.
Police Colonel Kriangkrai Arayayingsak, head of Phuket Immigration, stated that this operation was a joint effort with local security agencies, including the Internal Security Operations Command, Phuket employment office, and the Phuket tourist police, reported KhaoSod.
The action aligns with directives from national police chief Police General Kittirat Phanphet and the Immigration Bureau Commissioner Police Lieutenant General Panumas Boonyaluck, who have emphasised strict measures against foreigners misusing tourist visas to undertake employment and compete with local workers.
In similar news, police in Surat Thani have swooped on illegal foreign workers across three of Thailand’s most popular tourist islands, arresting 17 foreign nationals and one Thai citizen in a sweeping immigration raid.
Led by Surat Thani immigration officers, police, and local officials, the raids targeted Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, and Ko Tao, following reports of foreigners running unregistered nurseries, working without permits, overstaying visas, and other immigration offences, according to Police Colonel Naruewat Phutthawiro, head of the provincial immigration office.
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