Pictures courtesy of TMN

 

Chonburi immigration police led by Pol Col Napasphong Khositsuriyamanee raided a house on 17 November 2025, in Soi Sukhumvit Pattaya 57, uncovering 17 Indian nationals, most of whom had overstayed their permission to stay. The operation aimed to dismantle what authorities suspected was a safe house for illegal foreign workers.

 

Authorities observed a man acting suspiciously outside the property before entering. Inside, Indian nationals were found spread across multiple rooms and were taken out for inspection. Initial checks revealed 15 of the 17 had overstayed their permission to stay, while two held valid tourist visas and were under investigation for possible links to the overstayers.

 

According to statements through an interpreter, one of the workers claimed they had been brought to Thailand by an Indian broker who promised employment in Pattaya. The broker allegedly confined the workers in the house until their stamps expired. Police suspect the property served as a temporary holding point for foreign workers before being sent to jobs elsewhere in the city.

 

The raid highlights ongoing concerns over illegal labour networks in Pattaya and the exploitation of foreign workers. Immigration authorities emphasised that overstaying poses legal risks for both employees and brokers involved. Officials are also investigating whether additional individuals are connected to the operation.

 

Chonburi immigration police plan to deport all 15 overstayers and continue expanding their investigation. Further legal action may be taken against brokers who facilitate illegal employment. Authorities stated that they will maintain vigilance over similar safe houses to prevent repeat incidents.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• 17 Indian nationals were found in a Pattaya safe house, with 15 overstaying.

• Workers reported being brought in by a broker who promised jobs but confined them.

• Authorities plan deportations and further investigations into the operation.

 

Related Stories

 

Austrian-man-arrested-in-phuket-for-visa-overstay

 

Overstay-Chinese-man-arrested-in-Pattaya-for-tour-work

 

  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from TMN 2025-11-19

 

 

 

 

Well fair enough, good work by police. This was to be expected along with giving them visa exempt entry. 

17 men 1toilet 1straw what could gowrong peww

Stop letting them in unless they have 50,000 baht, 

Well goodness gracious me 😏

31 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Stop letting them in unless they have 50,000 baht,

 

But, if they had 50k, they wouldn't need to work?

Smartly dressed ! Not a 'Wifebeater' in sight !

I bet there are a few more " safe houses " like this throughout the country.

The Indians were victims. They were lured to thailand with promises of  legitimate employment and then exploited.

Those are the dudes peddling fake watches and herbal scams.

Caught 15... did additional 45 slip out the back door or something? Numbers seem low for a house...

Is this the tip of the iceberg?

Good work on behalf of the police, but how many more safe 'safe houses' are there?

On 11/19/2025 at 9:14 AM, jacko45k said:

Well fair enough, good work by police. This was to be expected along with giving them visa exempt entry. 

 I feel a bit sory for the landlord because he will have to find 15 more Indians to rent his 2 bedroom house.

16 minutes ago, wavodavo said:

 I feel a bit sory for the landlord because he will have to find 15 more Indians to rent his 2 bedroom house.

Somehow I don't think he will have too much of a problem, finding a few more Indians?

18 minutes ago, wavodavo said:

 I feel a bit sory for the landlord because he will have to find 15 more Indians to rent his 2 bedroom house.

 

10 times that are ready and waiting. 

Indian takeaway competing with the Chinese takeaway then 👍

Deport any more Indians and Pattaya will have to close down, 

hahaha... suspect more to it...

Looks like they have been scammed as well 

If they had been brought in for work - likely the work has completed, and the broker has run off with the money leaving all of them in the lurch - so the best way is to tip off the police to get them deported ... nice and clean scam...🙂

At least no one got hurt ... only lose money

Any plans to track down the 'broker'? 🤔

 

Who owns the house or who was renting it? 🤔

I wouldn't fancy having to do all them TM-30's for all that lot, 

1 hour ago, mikeymike100 said:

Somehow I don't think he will have too much of a problem, finding a few more Indians?

Don't be too sure, the beach seems a popular place though only if they are not illegals.

Dear TAT,

 

How is that drive for "upmarket quality tourists" going?

 

Just curious....

Hey, if they want more, just get those cops sitting around on WS to corral those Indians that took over that part of Patts.

2 hours ago, blaze master said:

 

10 times that are ready and waiting. 

Easy peasy....just take a look at WS now.  And, based on my projections and my age on Earth, this is just the beginning ...Over 1.5 Billion Indians, majority without wives or GF and they are horny and looking to migrate everywhere on the planet.  Thailand has no clue, none, as to the damage they have done to their country by relaxing the visa entry for India.  They will find out too late.

Probably an overstay practice run before they try it on the UK  

On 11/19/2025 at 3:41 AM, Georgealbert said:

The raid highlights ongoing concerns over illegal labour networks in Pattaya and the exploitation of foreign workers. Immigration authorities emphasised that overstaying poses legal risks for both employees and brokers involved.

Risks that they think are worth taking.

All I can say which is sadly, "Thank God I was never born in these type of countries where they fly to Thailand to make a better life with their life  using their life savings just to earn a few extra dollars which is most likely to support their family back home. Go figure! Sad.

Troll post removed

 

@Reddavy rule 14. You will not post slurs, degrading, or overly negative comments directed towards Thailand, Thai people, Thai culture,Religion, Thai institutions such as the military, judicial or law enforcement system, or specific locations within Thailand.

I can't imagine the protests by crazy uneducated liberals in the USA if immigration did the same thing in the USA.

13 hours ago, cynic1 said:

All I can say which is sadly, "Thank God I was never born in these type of countries where they fly to Thailand to make a better life with their life  using their life savings just to earn a few extra dollars which is most likely to support their family back home. Go figure! Sad.

Thailand is like paradise to many Indians, it was a dump 30 years ago and it's still a dump.