Immigration Police Division 1 (ตม.1) has raided a host bar in Bangkok’s Sutthisan area and arrested a South Korean national working illegally as a drink host, alongside several undocumented migrant workers found operating a shabu restaurant in nearby Lat Phrao. The operation was carried out on Thursday, 5 March 2026, following reports from members of the public about businesses employing foreign nationals without proper work permits. Authorities said the arrests form part of ongoing efforts to crack down on illegal foreign labour.
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The inspection was led by Pol Lt Col Pornchai Sukcharoen, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Immigration Division 1, together with officers from Min Buri Police Station and the Department of Employment. Officials first inspected a host bar in the Sutthisan area where more than 100 employees and staff were present. During checks, officers discovered one worker without proper registration status and a South Korean man working as a drink host serving customers.
The Korean national reportedly admitted he previously worked for a company in South Korea but said his salary was insufficient to cover his expenses. According to his statement, a friend advised him to travel to Thailand to work in the bar, where he earned commissions from drink purchases. He told officers his average monthly income from drink commissions was about 30,000 baht.
Police charged him with working in Thailand without a valid permit and transferred him to Sutthisan Police Station for legal proceedings. Authorities did not disclose his name but confirmed the investigation followed complaints about illegal foreign employment in entertainment venues.
In a second operation, officers inspected a shabu restaurant on Lat Phrao Road. They discovered seven foreign workers employed across multiple roles including cashier, serving staff and kitchen workers. All seven were found to be working without valid work permits.
According to investigators, the restaurant had opened only a few months earlier. The workers were reportedly paid daily wages of about 400 baht and were allowed to live on the premises while also acting as caretakers for the business.mAll seven individuals were taken into custody and handed over to investigators at Phahonyothin Police Station for further legal action.
Naewna reported that Pol Maj Gen Prasat Khemmaprasit, Commander of Immigration Division 1, said the operation was conducted under government policy to strictly suppress illegal foreign workers. He stated that authorities will continue inspecting restaurants and entertainment venues suspected of employing undocumented workers.
He also urged the public to report information about illegal foreign labour through the immigration hotline numbers 1178 or 1599, which operate 24 hours a day.
Pictures courtesy of Naewna
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Naewna 6 Mar 2026
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