Rayong raid nets 24 illegal workers at Chinese data centre

Rayong authorities have arrested 24 Chinese and Myanmar nationals accused of working without permits during a raid on a large Chinese-funded data centre construction site in Ban Chang district.

The operation began at 10am on 11 August 2026 after complaints circulated on social media alleging that Chinese and Myanmar workers were employed at the site without the required work authorisation.

Raid follows online complaints

Nattapol Rakchat, Rayong Provincial Employment Officer, led the joint inspection under the direction of Rayong Governor Traiphop Wongtrairat.

The raid involved Rayong Immigration Police, Rayong Provincial Police, Special Branch Police Division 1, the Internal Security Operations Command's Rayong office, Ban Chang Police Station and Ban Chang district officials.

The data centre is being built in Moo 6, Ban Chang sub-district, on a site covering more than 100 rai. Officials said more than 400 workers were employed at the project and housed in an on-site workers' camp.

When officers arrived, many workers ran in different directions. Several reportedly jumped into a canal in an attempt to escape by swimming away.

Officials later detained 24 workers: 20 Myanmar nationals, both men and women, and four Chinese nationals. Document checks found that none held work permits, according to the provincial public relations office.

Criminal cases and deportation process

All 24 have been charged with working in Thailand without a work permit. They were handed to investigators at Ban Chang Police Station for legal proceedings.

Rayong Immigration Police will then be asked to process their removal from Thailand under the relevant procedures.

Picture courtesy of NBT

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12 August 2026

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