Thai Authorities Nab 17 Foreigners in Island Immigration Raids

[webfact]

File photo for reference only

 

Authorities have intensified their efforts to clamp down on illegal immigration activities on some of Thailand's renowned tourist hotspots. A recent sweep on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao has led to the arrest of 17 foreigners and one Thai national, accused of breaching immigration laws and operating without necessary permits.

 

Surat Thani's provincial immigration office embarked on this operation after receiving information about foreigners allegedly exploiting tourist visas to engage in unlawful work practices on the islands.

 

Under the leadership of Pol Col Naruewat Phutthawiro, these coordinated raids saw immigration officials join forces with local police and administrative officers.

 

On Koh Samui, separate raids resulted in the detention of a British and a Laotian national. The British citizen was reportedly found to have overstayed their visa, while the Laotian was apprehended for illegal entry into Thailand. These charges highlight the ongoing issues of visa compliance that authorities aim to rectify.

 

Koh Phangan witnessed the arrest of 12 individuals stemming from diverse backgrounds, including five Russians, two Ukrainians, and five Myanmar nationals.

 

Offences ranged from establishing unregistered educational facilities to operating nurseries without official approvals. These enterprises not only contravene local regulations but also undermine legitimate businesses abiding by Thai laws and paying required taxes.

Meanwhile, on Koh Tao, three individuals from Myanmar were found working without proper work permits. Furthermore, a Thai national was accused of illegally running a nursery and employing undocumented migrants, exacerbating concerns regarding lawful employment practices on the islands.

 

The genesis of these raids traces back to directives from national police chief Kittharath Punpetch, who issued orders for a robust response against foreign nationals misusing tourist visas.

 

The drive, aptly dubbed "Operation X-ray," underscores the commitment to safeguard Thailand's economic interests and ensure safety on these beloved travel destinations.

 

Government officials stressed that these measures are part of a broader initiative to regulate the influx of foreign workers and maintain law and order.

 

It serves as a stern reminder that while Thailand remains a welcoming destination for tourists and investors alike, adherence to the country's legal frameworks is non-negotiable.

 

In a nation where the tourism sector forms a crucial economic backbone, maintaining the sanctity of tourist activities is paramount. As this crackdown unfolds, authorities assure that compliance checks will continue to be part of ongoing operations, deterring further misconduct and reinforcing Thailand’s position as a lawful and thriving tourist haven, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-01-30

 

 

[Andre0720]

Wow, 17 illegal foreigners.

In the US. about 11 million now, depending on the source of information.

But it made the news here, and the authorities take these numbers seriously.

 

So there must be a wall here somewhere, huge and tall....

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

A recent sweep on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao has led to the arrest of 17 foreigners and one Thai national

 

Not much of a sweep then.

If they only found 17 individuals, then they are not even scratching the surface of the issue.

[austhai]

12 hours ago, Andre0720 said:

Wow, 17 illegal foreigners.

In the US. about 11 million now, depending on the source of information.

But it made the news here, and the authorities take these numbers seriously.

 

So there must be a wall here somewhere, huge and tall....

 

 

Just the few they wanted or people put in. There are many more...

[terryofcrete]

This report sounds like a RTP propaganda bulletin... dreadful waste of police time... 

[thai006]

Not enough they are a lot of farang work Without permit 

[thesetat]

1 hour ago, terryofcrete said:

This report sounds like a RTP propaganda bulletin... dreadful waste of police time... 

they give it a fancy name for propaganda but really they are doing what they should be doing every day. It makes it seem as though unless they have a name for their operation then they really do not do anything. 

[kuzmabruk]

15 hours ago, webfact said:

adherence to the country's legal frameworks is non-negotiable.

Really.  This is the land of negotiations.  555

[ronster]

You could probably find more than they caught by just scanning the local Facebook groups and seeing people offering services for all sorts .

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, terryofcrete said:

This report sounds like a RTP propaganda bulletin... dreadful waste of police time... 

But not immigration time?

[ChipButty]

What a waste of time and effort, 

[4MyEgo]

2 hours ago, terryofcrete said:

This report sounds like a RTP propaganda bulletin... dreadful waste of police time... 

Yes, they have to show that they are working and getting rid of a grain of sand every now and again, while they keep lining their pockets from their agent friends who give them a nice cut of their fee to get that stamp after the money is deposited and withdrawn by the agent.

 

I would be nervous if I didn't have the funds in the bank and used an agent to get me that stamp for an annual fee of about 20k baht (varies), just sayin.

 

Why sink the boat when you can throw a few souls overboard.

[riverhigh]

"It serves as a stern reminder that while Thailand remains a welcoming destination for tourists and investors alike, adherence to the country's legal frameworks is non-negotiable."

 

"Non-negotiable" ??  I must have been living under a rock! Up till now I always thought if I had money I couId negotaiate, just like the Swiss guy kicking the Thai doctor sitting on steps. Silly me for thinking that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra received privileged treatment at Police General Hospital because of some honest negotiation.

[Caldera]

They had to visit three islands very popular with foreign tourists to find a grand total of SEVENTEEN illegal foreigners.

 

Wow.

 

That sounds more like a fun outing for the involved officials to me than serious police work. 

[Kaopad999]

well done. 

[Hakuna Matata]

18 hours ago, webfact said:

Koh Phangan witnessed the arrest of 12 individuals stemming from diverse backgrounds, including five Russians, two Ukrainians

 

 

[Gottfrid]

17 hours ago, Andre0720 said:

Wow, 17 illegal foreigners.

In the US. about 11 million now, depending on the source of information.

But it made the news here, and the authorities take these numbers seriously.

First, we don´t care how many you have in the United Land of Home Fries!

What you are talking about is the number they expect, and not the amount they arrest. Let´s say like this. Why you do not read about this in US news, is because they never get their lazy arse up and do that many arrests at the same time.

I think this is great work! Pile em up and throw em out!

[sambum]

So - Illegal entry, operating unregistered educational facilities, operating nurseries without approval, no proper work permits, employing undocumented migrants - all offences committed by 1 Laos, 5 Russians, 2 Ukrainians, 8 Myanmars, and 1 Thai.

 

The only thing they could pin on the Brit was overstay. Who are the "Bad Boys" now? And where are the crime "kingpins" in all these "raids"?

 

I wonder how many Immigration/Police/Administration officers were involved, and how many hours were clocked up during the arresting and processing of the massive numbers (17) of people arrested?

 

 

 

 

[Cabradelmar]

BBC literally did a TV news story on Koh Phangan interviewing Russians blatantly admitting such activities. About time the Thai authorities did their jobs.

[sambum]

5 hours ago, thai006 said:

Not enough they are a lot of farang work Without permit 

 

They should concentrate on the Russians and Ukrainians (and Chinese) setting up illegal businesses which is depriving the Gov't of billions of baht in taxes rather than a few baht from Myanmar people working without a permit doing jobs that Thais consider below them, or the occasional Brit on overstay.

[sambum]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

But not immigration time?

Police/Immigration  - same, same, but different!

[sambum]

1 hour ago, riverhigh said:

"It serves as a stern reminder that while Thailand remains a welcoming destination for tourists and investors alike, adherence to the country's legal frameworks is non-negotiable."

 

"Non-negotiable" ??  I must have been living under a rock! Up till now I always thought if I had money I couId negotaiate, just like the Swiss guy kicking the Thai doctor sitting on steps. Silly me for thinking that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra received privileged treatment at Police General Hospital because of some honest negotiation.

 

Dead right - If you have the money, everything is negotiable.

[fredwiggy]

1 hour ago, Gottfrid said:

First, we don´t care how many you have in the United Land of Home Fries!

What you are talking about is the number they expect, and not the amount they arrest. Let´s say like this. Why you do not read about this in US news, is because they never get their lazy arse up and do that many arrests at the same time.

I think this is great work! Pile em up and throw em out!

Try visiting the US, and better, living there before you can comment on what goes on there, because you have absolutely no idea. They make arrests all day long, every day, and deport people the same. Hearing that Biden wanted some to join their families working legally isn't the same as allowing people just to come into the country freely.

 

Asylum seekers are also a different story, as they are fleeing death and persecution in countries where dictators ply their trade. The same thing happens all over Europe and Asia. I knew personally immigration agents who came to my store to buy guns and ammo, who told stories of what goes on daily near the border. I saw illegals many times while hunting South Texas, running through ranches and crossing roads, and saw them arrested and detained, and buses going back across the border, bringing illegals back to Mexico. It's a never stopping process of rounding up illegals and determining who can stay and who must go, and most go. When you comment on something, try not to use "we", because it's "you" that's making the comment from your personal un educated opinion, and not facts.

[sambum]

6 minutes ago, Cabradelmar said:

BBC literally did a TV news story on Koh Phangan interviewing Russians blatantly admitting such activities. About time the Thai authorities did their jobs.

 

".............Russians blatantly admitting such activities."

 

"TAT wanted 'em - now they got 'em" Som nam na!

[bamnutsak]

Seems like they could generate a list daily of those folks who overstayed, and their current location (TM30), push it out to every Imm/RTP officer, and have them check in on 10 or so each day.

 

But I suspect that dealing with the paperwork/logistics/storage would overwhelm the system, so they just do their job once a month in a 'crackdown'.

 

 

[black tabby12345]

 five Russians, two Ukrainians, and five Myanmar nationals...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They have something in common; war is going on back home.

[Jiggo]

Well done RTP, now go and get some real criminals who should not be here, not just low hanging fruit.

[kiwikeith]

17 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

Not much of a sweep then.

If they only found 17 individuals, then they are not even scratching the surface of the issue.

What would a nursing facility be doing, baby sitting illegal workers babies or human trafficking of babies??

1/ yes

2/ no     

please tick 1 or 2.

[Gottfrid]

25 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Try visiting the US, and better, living there before you can comment on what goes on there, because you have absolutely no idea. They make arrests all day long, every day, and deport people the same. Hearing that Biden wanted some to join their families working legally isn't the same as allowing people just to come into the country freely.

 

Asylum seekers are also a different story, as they are fleeing death and persecution in countries where dictators ply their trade. The same thing happens all over Europe and Asia. I knew personally immigration agents who came to my store to buy guns and ammo, who told stories of what goes on daily near the border. I saw illegals many times while hunting South Texas, running through ranches and crossing roads, and saw them arrested and detained, and buses going back across the border, bringing illegals back to Mexico. It's a never stopping process of rounding up illegals and determining who can stay and who must go, and most go. When you comment on something, try not to use "we", because it's "you" that's making the comment from your personal un educated opinion, and not facts.

11 million people says you are wrong!

[fredwiggy]

2 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

11 million people says you are wrong!

They've been coming into countries since time began. Every country gets immigrants, including here. How would what I say make me wrong? That's your opinion, and it's  wrong. There are reasons people come into the US, here and many other countries, and I listed two, with work being another major one. Nothing wrong with people looking outside their border for work. Doing it with a proper work permit is the way. Rich people hiring these immigrants, or well off doing the same, is the real problem, as without pay most wouldn't be coming, besides those seeking asylum. Again, it's best to sticking with comments based on facts and not assuming you know what goes on in other countries. Looking at a few videos and making judgements doesn't work, as it's usually just other's opinions and if not, only shows a fraction of hat goes on in immigration.