Thailand's Immigration Sweep Nabs Nearly 10,000 Offenders

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Thailand's national crackdown on illegal immigration has resulted in nearly 10,000 arrests, with authorities uncovering a vast network of crimes, including passport forgery and drug smuggling. During the week-long operation from February 18 to February 24, launched by Police General Kittirat Phanphat, the Royal Thai Police targeted illegal immigrants and cross-border criminal activities.

 

Police General Thana Chuwong reported a total of 9,532 arrests, drawing from a diverse range of offences. These included 207 wanted individuals, 6,239 illegal entries, 875 visa overstays, 120 instances of revoked permits, 463 illegal workers, and 1,628 other violations.

 

The detainees originated from various countries, with 564 Thai nationals, 4,879 from Myanmar, 1,699 from Laos, 1,376 from Cambodia, 103 from Vietnam, and 911 from other countries being apprehended.

 

 

One significant bust involved a call centre gang in possession of hand grenades and over 1 kilogram of ketamine. The operation led by immigration, central investigation, and tourist police saw the arrest of four suspects, including nationals from Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines. The Taiwanese suspect had five arrest warrants in Taiwan, while two Filipinos reportedly trafficked into the gang’s operations in Myanmar were also detained.

 

In Surin, a building used for forging Chinese passports was discovered, and further investigations found rented properties for smuggling activities. Police arrested 13 suspects linked to the trafficking syndicate.

 

Ongoing efforts by the Centre for Suppression of Transnational Crime aim to maintain public order and adhere to government and Royal Thai Police policies. The successful operation emphasizes the country's commitment to cracking down on illegal immigration and cross-border crime, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-02-27

 

 

[Andytheburiramman]

There's roughly 90,000 Ukraine and Russians here fulltime and most are between 30 and 50 (lots with young children), so I often wonder what visas are they on or maybe not on 🤔

[nakhonandy]

  On 2/27/2025 at 11:54 AM, Andytheburiramman said:

There's roughly 90,000 Ukraine and Russians here fulltime and most are between 30 and 50 (lots with young children), so I often wonder what visas are they on or maybe not on 🤔

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90,000 wow. I knew it was a lot but not as much as that. What visa indeed?

[BayArea]

  On 2/27/2025 at 11:54 AM, Andytheburiramman said:

There's roughly 90,000 Ukraine and Russians here fulltime and most are between 30 and 50 (lots with young children), so I often wonder what visas are they on or maybe not on 🤔

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along with 30k Israelis, millions of Chinese and Indian tourists, and every Tom, Dick and Harry from all over the world. Thailand seems to be a haven for everyone and everything in between. 

[hotchilli]

  On 2/27/2025 at 11:54 AM, Andytheburiramman said:

There's roughly 90,000 Ukraine and Russians here fulltime and most are between 30 and 50 (lots with young children), so I often wonder what visas are they on or maybe not on 🤔

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Or where their income is coming from?

[mfd101]

They could continue 'sweeping' for another 12 months and collect another 120000 ...

[statman78]

  On 2/28/2025 at 12:57 AM, mfd101 said:

They could continue 'sweeping' for another 12 months and collect another 120000 ...

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I hope they do

[Oz82]

  On 2/27/2025 at 11:54 AM, Andytheburiramman said:

There's roughly 90,000 Ukraine and Russians here fulltime and most are between 30 and 50 (lots with young children), so I often wonder what visas are they on or maybe not on 🤔

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A majority of English teachers in a lot of schools now are from Ukraine and Russia. And they have work permits and non B visas.

[kwilco]

  On 2/27/2025 at 11:54 AM, Andytheburiramman said:

There's roughly 90,000 Ukraine and Russians here fulltime and most are between 30 and 50 (lots with young children), so I often wonder what visas are they on or maybe not on 🤔

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If you have a number then they are probably documented.

[LivingNThailand]

  On 2/28/2025 at 3:34 AM, Oz82 said:

A majority of English teachers in a lot of schools now are from Ukraine and Russia. And they have work permits and non B visas.

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When I took a TELF course all English teachers were supposed to be from an English Speaking Country.  USA, Canada, Australia, England / UK and South Africa.  English speaking Filipinos/Filipinas could teach music, art and the like.  As far as I know Ukraine and Russia are not English speaking countries.   So the criteria has changed?  

[JJ-Thailand]

  On 2/28/2025 at 3:34 AM, Oz82 said:

A majority of English teachers in a lot of schools now are from Ukraine and Russia.

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Do they speak English?

[it is what it is]

  On 2/28/2025 at 12:57 AM, mfd101 said:

They could continue 'sweeping' for another 12 months and collect another 120000 ...

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...and so they should, keep sweeping please, get the illegals out

[Homburg]

  On 2/28/2025 at 3:34 AM, Oz82 said:

A majority of English teachers in a lot of schools now are from Ukraine and Russia. And they have work permits and non B visas.

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  On 2/28/2025 at 3:50 PM, JJ-Thailand said:

 

Do they speak English?

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Is that a requirement?

[BayArea]

  On 2/28/2025 at 9:12 AM, LivingNThailand said:

When I took a TELF course all English teachers were supposed to be from an English Speaking Country.  USA, Canada, Australia, England / UK and South Africa.  English speaking Filipinos/Filipinas could teach music, art and the like.  As far as I know Ukraine and Russia are not English speaking countries.   So the criteria has changed?  

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soon we will hear Thai people speaking English with a Slavic accent. That should be pure entertainment. 🤣

[HappyExpat57]

10,000 arrests in one week? Am I the only one having trouble believing that number?

[JJ-Thailand]

  On 2/28/2025 at 8:38 PM, Homburg said:

 

 

Is that a requirement?

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Hopefully.

[Oz82]

  On 2/28/2025 at 3:50 PM, JJ-Thailand said:

 

Do they speak English?

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Some of them don't. But they have a white face that the school can stick on a poster.

[Oz82]

  On 2/28/2025 at 9:12 AM, LivingNThailand said:

When I took a TELF course all English teachers were supposed to be from an English Speaking Country.  USA, Canada, Australia, England / UK and South Africa.  English speaking Filipinos/Filipinas could teach music, art and the like.  As far as I know Ukraine and Russia are not English speaking countries.   So the criteria has changed?  

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There is no requirement to be from an English speaking countries. Schools used to almost only hire people from these countries, but it's hard to find teachers these days and schools are now full of Russians. The only legal requirement is that they have to pass a TOEIC English test. But some clearly couldn't have passed. 

[Oz82]

  On 2/28/2025 at 9:12 AM, LivingNThailand said:

When I took a TELF course all English teachers were supposed to be from an English Speaking Country.  USA, Canada, Australia, England / UK and South Africa.  English speaking Filipinos/Filipinas could teach music, art and the like.  As far as I know Ukraine and Russia are not English speaking countries.   So the criteria has changed?  

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At my school we have 14 English teachers. I am the only one who was born in an English speaking country. 

[rough diamond]

  On 3/3/2025 at 7:47 AM, Oz82 said:

At my school we have 14 English teachers. I am the only one who was born in an English speaking country. 

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What, on average, is their standard of English/teaching like?

[Oz82]

  On 3/3/2025 at 8:29 AM, rough diamond said:

What, on average, is their standard of English/teaching like?

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Highly variable. Some of them are great. And some you can't have a conversation with.

[rough diamond]

  On 3/3/2025 at 8:43 AM, Oz82 said:

Highly variable. Some of them are great. And some you can't have a conversation with.

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Thanks!

I sort of assumed that.