Pattaya Police Crack Down on Illegal Foreign Workers at Villa Sites

[snoop1130]

 

Tourist Police in Pattaya have arrested 25 foreign nationals working illegally at construction sites for pool villas, exposing a network of unauthorized foreign-run property developments. The operation, spearheaded by Police Colonel Man Rotthong, targeted Chinese investors linked to villa rentals operating as illicit hotels.

 

Acting on a tip-off, officers raided four construction sites in the Huay Yai subdistrict on March 11. They found around 20 buildings under development with foreign supervisors, mainly Chinese nationals, overseeing Myanmar labourers. Of those detained, nine were Chinese, and 16 were Myanmar workers, none possessing valid work permits.

 

Charged with breaching employment and immigration laws, this crackdown is part of a broader initiative to curtail foreign criminal activities in Thailand. Police have observed a rise in unpermitted foreign investments across industries, notably in real estate, driving illegal operations.

 

 

The arrests, led by Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phueak-am, align with a national objective to curb illegal immigration, foreign-operated businesses, and transnational crime. With Chon Buri province, including Pattaya, experiencing a real estate surge ranked second after Bangkok, the crackdown comes as part of efforts to curtail unlawful property developments capitalizing on the area’s growth.

 

Pattaya, situated within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), has a thriving housing market valued at about 4.72 billion US dollars. As the city becomes a hub for illegal construction ventures, officials anticipate more raids to enforce strict compliance with Thailand's investment laws, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-03-12

 

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

Well done Thai Police. 👏

[MalcolmB]

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Tourist Police in Pattaya have arrested 25 foreign nationals working illegally at construction sites for pool villas,

Shouldn’t that be a job for Immigration Police?