Are Samui immigration police doing a widespread check on foreign nationals that have stayed in the kingdom for long periods of time.

I currently have a Non-b visa and i am waiting for my work permit to be processed. Today i was looking after a friends business ( also the same place where i live) whilst my friend was away doing some business in Nathon and immigration police in plain clothes came in and started to ask how long i have been in the country and if i was working here. They asked to see my passport and mentioned that i've been in thailand a while i told them i am currently waiting for my work permit and i was just looking after my friend's place whilst she was away. They left and waited outside for my friend in a pickup truck for over an hour and then left.

I told a friend and they said this is happening a lot too farangs in samui at the moment

Should i be worried that i was helping a friend and they asked to see my passport or are they just looking for a bit of extra cash and are immigration police doing a widespread check on farangs in samui?

Would appreciate any feedback,

Thanks.

"Plain clothes"...... sounds suspicious to me, possibly a scam?

Officially you are working without a permit. You could be in trouble when checked by proper immigration people.

They probably take a picture and take you with them.

Why would immigration be interested in work permit issues ? As long as your on the right visa the work permit has nothing to do with them ?

No Uniform, no ID's showing, a pick up truck! They want to talk to me have the uniformed police with a warrent come and take me to the the Main police station where there are witnesses.

Sounds like a spin off on the Music license scam of a few yeras back.

I have found if they take pictures of you and your home, just take pictures of them and thier vehicles, they usually leave in a hurry.

This is still a nation of laws. I have instructed my staff to call me or the police immediately if any one wants to question them or search them.

Thats exactly how it was Ksamuiguy, thank you for sharing your experience and your advice.

Why would immigration be interested in work permit issues ? As long as your on the right visa the work permit has nothing to do with them ?

Immigration deals with foreigners illegally working in Thailand.