Tourist police in Phuket have intensified checks on foreigners breaking immigration laws, leading to the arrest of two men who had overstayed in Thailand for more than two years. Officers used an AI facial recognition system linked to a central immigration database to identify the suspects in real time.
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The two men, Ousmane Kon and Clinton Ekechukwu, were detained after the AI Camera system flagged them as immigration offenders. Authorities said the Nigerian national had overstayed his visa by 877 days, while the Cote d’Ivoire citizen had remained illegally in the country for 739 days.
Police confirmed that both men were charged with illegal stay in Thailand. After processing, they will be handed over to the relevant police authorities before deportation proceedings are carried out.
The operation forms part of a wider crackdown on visa overstayers and foreign nationals violating Thai law in major tourist destinations. Phuket, one of Thailand’s busiest tourism hubs, has seen increased use of technology by authorities to monitor and track suspects.
According to officials, the AI Camera system is directly connected to a central government database. The technology allows officers to identify wanted individuals and immigration violators instantly through facial recognition scans in public areas.
Authorities believe the use of AI systems will improve the efficiency of law enforcement operations and strengthen security in tourist areas. The system is also intended to support immigration control efforts as Thailand continues to receive large numbers of international visitors.
The arrests highlight Thailand’s growing reliance on surveillance technology in policing and immigration enforcement. Rights groups and privacy advocates in several countries have previously raised concerns over facial recognition technology, although Thai authorities maintain the systems are necessary for public safety and crime prevention. Thai authorities said both men will remain in custody while legal and deportation procedures continue.
Picture courtesy of Phuketinsta
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Phuketinsta 9 May 2026
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