Pictures courtesy of เช็กข่าวพัทยา 

Immigration police in Chonburi, working with tourist police, have carried out coordinated raids on two migrant worker camps in the Jomtien area, uncovering more than 200 legal violations among foreign workers. The operation involved over 50 officers and affected more than 600 Cambodian and Myanmar nationals residing at the sites, marking a significant enforcement action under national police policy.

The inspections took place on the morning of 16 January 2026 in the Thepprasit and Jomtien areas, targeting large labour camps as part of a crackdown on illegal migrant labour. Authorities said the immediate impact was the identification and processing of multiple administrative offences, though no cases of illegal entry or visa overstays were found.

The operation was ordered by Pol Col Naphaspong Khositsuriyamanee, Superintendent of Chonburi Immigration, together with Pol Lt Col Kawinwat Arayasuriwong, Deputy Superintendent. The field operation was led by Pol Maj Kittipat Hongchuwej and Pol Capt Wirat Phatthammwong from Chonburi Immigration, alongside tourist police led by Pol Maj Somchanok Chaiprasertsakul of Sub-Division 2, Tourist Police Division 1.

Officers sealed off and searched two large camps housing migrant workers, separating individuals by gender and nationality to check identity documents, accommodation notifications and employer compliance. The workforce comprised more than 600 Cambodian and Myanmar nationals employed in the area.

Authorities found over 200 cases of failure to notify residence under Section 38 of immigration law. In addition, six individuals failed to report to immigration authorities within the required 90-day period and seven were found to be working for employers other than those they were legally registered with.

Police confirmed that no undocumented migrants or overstayers were discovered during the checks. All offences identified were administrative or employment-related breaches under existing immigration and labour regulations.

The raids were conducted in line with policy directives from Pol Gen Samran Nualma, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police. The policy mandates regular, monthly inspections of migrant labour sites and monitoring of transnational criminal groups to prevent illegal activity and crime infiltration.

Chonburi Immigration said it has previously conducted joint operations with tourist police at labour camps, pubs, bars and other establishments. These actions have targeted illegal employment, foreign prostitution rings and related offences.

Authorities stated that proactive enforcement operations will continue with increased intensity. Further inspections across Chonburi province are planned as part of an ongoing strategy to ensure compliance with immigration and labour laws.

Key Takeaways

• Over 600 Cambodian and Myanmar workers were inspected during raids on two Jomtien labour camps.

• More than 200 violations were found, mainly involving failure to notify residence under Section 38.

• Police confirmed no cases of illegal entry or visa overstays during the operation.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from เช็กข่าวพัทยา 2026-01-17

 

 

Yes, for sure, go and arrest, detain, pose for the group photo and then deport all those harmless illegal workers. But remember ot leave all the drug peddlars alone from Bangkok to Pattaya Central.

Thought it was the owner of the "camp" that had to report tenants within 24 hours to immigration

Horrific way to survive. I lived next to a camp which was opposite the old club med Kata . They lived in absolute poverty. When I saw the ladies washing on the lines , I went out with a friend and bought a load of sarongs and pyjamas , tshirts, many of my neighbors bought t shirts too and kids clothes.

In the market, you could see they counted baht to buy some food necessities. Pure cruelty .

Another one I visited was behind Junk Ceylon Patong , awful.