Phuket Authorities Detain 19 Chinese Workers at Site

Authorities in Phuket have detained 22 foreign workers after an inspection at a construction project in Chalong, Mueang Phuket district, on 23 June. Officials said 19 Chinese nationals and three Myanmar nationals were unable to produce work permits or identification documents during the operation and were taken to the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation’s command and service company for further checks and legal proceedings.

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The inspection was carried out by the Phuket Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), working alongside the Phuket Provincial Employment Office, provincial administration officials, security units, social development authorities, immigration officers and provincial police. The operation was led by Deputy Phuket Governor Police Captain Khettharat Chansilp, Rear Admiral Praphan Srisuwipha, Deputy Director of Phuket ISOC, Police Colonel Pasakorn Sontikul, Deputy Commander of Phuket Provincial Police, Phuket Employment Office chief Pichit Singthongkham and Phuket Labour Office chief Worrawan Waritphutthimet.

Officials said recent arrests of foreign workers had revealed repeated patterns, particularly involving Chinese nationals working in construction and site supervision roles. Authorities said the investigation would extend beyond offences related to working without permits and would examine company structures, shareholders and sources of funding to determine whether nominee business arrangements were involved.

Police Captain Khettharat said Phuket planned to apply the “Phuket Model” approach to tackling such offences. Under the strategy, investigations will not stop at arrests or deportations but will seek to identify those directing operations and benefiting from them. Authorities will also examine construction contractors and project owners to determine whether their businesses are operating transparently and in accordance with Thai law.

The operation forms part of a wider government policy aimed at suppressing nominee businesses and illegal foreign business activities. Officials stressed that legitimate investors operating lawfully in Thailand would not be affected and reiterated that Phuket would not tolerate illegal activity.

Pictures courtesy of Matichon

Rear Admiral Praphan said inspections of foreign workers were being conducted daily alongside monitoring of businesses potentially linked to nominee arrangements. He described the discovery of a large number of Chinese workers at the construction site as significant information that required further investigation, including scrutiny of financial transactions and links between those involved.

Daily News reported that Police Colonel Pasakorn said investigators had been instructed to accelerate inquiries into nominee-related cases and offences involving foreign nationals. Officers will conduct detailed interviews, examine routes used to enter Thailand, identify those responsible for bringing workers into the country and use technology to review travel records.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Matichon 24 June 2026

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