Crime Sixteen Chinese Nationals Arrested at Patong Construction Site for Working Illegally

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

Police in Patong have arrested sixteen Chinese nationals for allegedly working illegally at a construction site without the required permits.

 

The arrests were made on 20 May under the direction of Pol. Col. Chalermchai Hoernsawat, Superintendent of Patong Police Station, and Pol. Lt. Col. Suchart Chumphusaeng, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation. The operation was led by Pol. Lt. Sarun Chaiyawut, along with Patong police investigators and officers from Tourist Police Division 2, Sub-Division 3.

 

The group of Chinese nationals was found working at a building under construction on Phra Metta Road in Patong Subdistrict, Kathu District, Phuket Province. Authorities reported that none of the individuals held legal work permits and were therefore in violation of labour and immigration laws.

 

They have been formally charged with “working without a valid work permit or engaging in work outside the permitted scope.”

 

The detainees were transported to the Patong Police Station’s investigation division, where arrest records were compiled and initial questioning conducted. All sixteen individuals will be handed over to investigating officers for further legal proceedings.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-05-21.

 

 

 

[ChipButty]

16 of them on a site, Thai's will have grassed them up, that would have been common knowledge around the area, 

[stevenl]

A pity the undoubtedly big fine or maybe even imprisonment of the employer is omitted from the article.

[watchcat]

On 5/20/2025 at 11:38 PM, Georgealbert said:

Police in Patong have arrested sixteen Chinese nationals for allegedly working illegally at a construction site without the required permits.

 

Deport and blacklist them.

[Briggsy]

On 5/21/2025 at 9:14 AM, stevenl said:

A pity the undoubtedly big fine or maybe even imprisonment of the employer is omitted from the article.

Indeed.

 

You may well find the beneficial owner of the property is in China. Hence, their preference for Chinese construction staff recruited by a Chinese agency all based in China. The goal is often to find a safe investment, in property, which Chinese traditionally use to hold value, and to provide a rental income. Investing in property in China has become a very risky proposition.

 

There will have to be a local property agent to co-ordinate on behalf of the Chinese owner. That is who the police should be going after. A pseudo-employer, of sorts.