Thai immigration police arrested 13 Pakistani nationals for overstaying their permission to stay, during a raid on an apartment building in Bangkok’s Thung Khru district, following public complaints about undocumented migrants in the area.
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The operation was carried out on 8 May 2026 after information circulated on social media on 4 May alleging that groups of foreign nationals had been living illegally in Pracha Uthit Sois 69, 75 and 79 in Thung Khru. CCTV images from a local discount store in Soi Pracha Uthit 69 also showed suspicious behaviour linked to an alleged theft, prompting concern among residents.
The raid was conducted under the direction of senior Immigration Bureau officers including Pol Lt Gen Phanumart Boonyalak, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, and Pol Maj Gen Prasat Khemmaprasit, commander of Immigration Division 1. Investigation officers traced individuals appearing in the CCTV footage to an apartment in Soi Pracha Uthit 69 Yaek 12.
Upon arriving at the property, officers met a caretaker identified only as Mr A, who cooperated with the inspection. Police found 13 foreign nationals inside the premises, including two individuals matching the CCTV images previously circulated online.
Checks on their passports confirmed all 13 were Pakistani nationals who had been granted temporary permission to stay in Thailand, but their permission had expired. Immigration officers charged all 13 with overstaying. Police said the complainant in the alleged theft case chose not to pursue legal action after compensation had been paid and the matter was considered settled.
Authorities also fined the accommodation operator for failing to report foreign guests within 24 hours as required under Section 38 of Thailand’s Immigration Act 1979. The law requires landlords, property owners and hotel managers to notify immigration authorities when foreign nationals stay at their premises.
All 13 suspects were informed of the charges and transferred to Thung Khru Police Station for further legal proceedings. The Immigration Bureau said it would continue inspections and crackdowns on immigration violations and urged landlords and accommodation providers to comply with reporting requirements under Thai law. Officials warned that failure to report foreign residents could result in legal penalties.
The Daily News reported that uthorities also encouraged members of the public to report suspicious or illegal activity involving foreign nationals through the Immigration Bureau hotline 1178. The bureau said it would continue monitoring groups considered a threat to public safety or involved in criminal activity in Thailand.
Pictures courtesy of Daily News
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 9 May 2026