Pictures courtesy of Daily News

 

Police have launched a nationwide operation targeting foreign nationals who have violated immigration and criminal laws, resulting in hundreds of arrests on its first day. The campaign, titled “Operation Bad Guys Out”, involved coordinated raids across the country beginning at 6.00 am on 20 December 2025. Authorities said the immediate impact was the arrest of 870 suspects in a single day, most for illegal entry into Thailand.

 

The operation was ordered by the Royal Thai Police as part of heightened security measures to protect public order and national security. Pol Gen Samran Nualma, Deputy National Police Chief and Director of the Centre for the Suppression of Transnational Crime and Illegal Immigration, travelled to Pattaya Police Station in Chonburi to oversee the launch. He acted on instructions from National Police Chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet, with senior immigration officials present at the briefing.

 

The crackdown followed earlier immigration enforcement between 1 and 19 December 2025, during which officers conducted intensive checks nationwide. On 20 December alone, police searched 161 locations and arrested 870 suspects, including 242 people accused of illegal entry. From 1 to 20 December, authorities inspected 13,394 targets and arrested 13,073 suspects, with 6,500 cases linked to refusal of entry into the kingdom.

 

Police said the operation focuses on foreign nationals staying in Thailand without permission, those breaching visa conditions and individuals linked to transnational crime or activities deemed a threat to security. Measures include inspections of workplaces, residences and entertainment venues, alongside enhanced border surveillance using intelligence assessments, risk analysis and security databases. The aim is to intercept high-risk individuals at entry points and address violations within the country.

 

Daily News reported that Pol Gen Samran said the police are applying preventive law enforcement under the rule of law, necessity and proportionality, while respecting human rights. He stressed that the measures are not intended to affect foreigners living legally and peacefully in Thailand. Authorities confirmed that foreign nationals involved in criminal activity or conduct affecting public order will face visa revocation, deportation and placement on watchlists.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Thai police arrested 870 suspects nationwide on 20 December 2025 during a coordinated immigration crackdown.

• A total of 13,073 arrests were made between 1 and 20 December 2025 following inspections of 13,394 targets.

• Authorities said the operation will continue monthly while respecting human rights and lawful residents.

 

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 Adapted  by  Asean Now from Dailynews 2025-12-22

 

 

That's nice. 

STOP them coming in!

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Crime Police Launches Nationwide ‘Operation Bad Guys Out

Is that where Bob and Malcolm have gone. 

 

Oh well, looks like that's the Christmas party called off. 😢

 

Wasn't Operation bad Guys Out one of Big Jokes initiatives?  Seems like there must have been a big increase in violators to bring it back again.

Why just target foreigners, why not target Thai nationals also?

44 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said:

Why just target foreigners, why not target Thai nationals also?

Simply, because they are already doing that on a constant basis. This was considered a problem arriving to Thailand, and had to be dealt with. You don´t have to worry, as long as you stay on the right path.

if you’re corrupt or pay bribes, will the police say you be one of the “bad guys out”?  ... i don’t think so!

in thailand, to be corrupt is necessary to stay rich, powerful or to gain wealth and power ...

'Good goys in, bad guys out'

 

Woke is 💯0% with the coppers on this initiative.

Shouldn't this 'Bad Guys Out' be part of normal operational procedure for the Thai Cops, isn't that part of their job??

Every year the Christchild comes...
And nationwide crackdowns too.

Quote

Operation Bad Guys Out

First you let them in, now you want them out.

Make up your mind.

On 12/22/2025 at 3:54 AM, Georgealbert said:

Authorities said the immediate impact was the arrest of 870 suspects in a single day, most for illegal entry into Thailand.

How did they know they were here ?

17 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

First you let them in, now you want them out.

Make up your mind.

The battle between TAT and Immigration...

On 12/22/2025 at 3:54 AM, Georgealbert said:

British-man-arrested-for-illegal-birdwatching-tours

 

What ! ?     Now we can't even look at the girls ?😘

On 12/22/2025 at 3:54 AM, Georgealbert said:

He stressed that the measures are not intended to affect foreigners living legally and peacefully in Thailand.

With constant drama on this forum, that's not many...

On 12/22/2025 at 7:18 AM, daveAustin said:

STOP them coming in!

How......?  

How many million come through immigration per year...🤗

On 12/22/2025 at 8:41 AM, Gottfrid said:

You don´t have to worry, as long as you stay on the right path

I will follow the actions of the local upstanding Thai politicians. Will that suffice????  🙂 

Please visit Koh Samui. Do a dragnet  starting in Chaweng.

My first thought when I read the headline was that they were focusing on the police force.  

Just imagine what the force could accomplish, if only they worked like that every day!

Perhaps start at any police station at all anywhere in the entire country of Thailand.  Corrupt to the core. 

 

On 12/22/2025 at 7:56 AM, JimHuaHin said:

Why just target foreigners, why not target Thai nationals also?

To where would you deport Thai nationals ?

Police Launches Nationwide 'Operation Bad Guys Out' Crackdown. I hope they are not taking the headline seriously; if they do, there will be no police left to carry it out.

I have another suggestion, how about if the police launch operation (FMBP) find the most bent RTP franchisee. I'll bet you a lot more than 870 would be arrested the first day. 

5 hours ago, hotchilli said:

The battle between TAT and Immigration...

And it's quite a obvious that they work very independently of each other, and immigration does not take into account numbers nor the importance of tourists, as they're doing nonsense everyday that discourages tourism, rather than encourages it. 

Operation bad guys out. LOL. They have to stop doing translations from Thai. It's dorky.

Only 1 question you need to ask yourself........

 

Am I a bad guy ?

Saw undercover and visible police, way more than normal in the south at all airports, ferry ports, on the ferries etc. Almost started to make me nervous with already the immigration acting up like we are jews in WW2 again. 

Meanwhile 99% of those causing trouble are actual tourists that just stay here a few weeks and the illegal business ones actually have a long-term visa with work permit and/or are bribing them to be allowed to do what they do. Meanwhile over a decade has passed by since they started this crap.

9 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

the illegal business ones actually have a long-term visa with work permit and/or are bribing them to be allowed to do what they do.

 

Or are Thai nationals themselves.