Thailand’s Immigration Police are tightening their grasp on visitors who break visa requirements. They have increased raids in key cities, focusing on people who are overstaying or working illegally.
Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee told the reporters that they are focusing on maintaining public order and security. These actions come after claims of increased crime involving certain expats.
He recommended tourists and expats to maintain their documents up to date to prevent difficulties. The raid is part of a larger attempt to uphold law and order.
In the most recent immigration sweep, seven foreign nationals were detained for overstaying their visas as part of a crackdown on foreigners staying unlawfully on the tourist island of Phuket.
As part of the 10-day enforcement operation, immigration authorities performed random visa searches at venues where foreigners suspected of visa violations had previously stayed. The officers apprehended seven foreign men: one Pakistani, two Egyptians, three Nigerians, and one Myanmar national. Five of them had overstayed their visas for 46 to 213 days.
A Nigerian guy had overstayed for 20 months, and a Pakistani for 3 years and 9 months. All were turned over to the local police for legal action.
Belgian Arrested for Theft and Visa Overstay
In Hat Yai, a 26-year-old Belgian man was detained on charges of stealing cash and valuables from three Malaysian tourists’ hotel rooms in Songkhla’s major city. He is also suspected of committing crimes in two other southern tourist destinations.
Immigration officers apprehended the man during a raid on a hotel room in Songkhla on Thursday, according to Pol Col Chinnawut Tangwonglert, chief of the Songkhla immigration office.
The arresting squad discovered 1,000-baht bills worth 52,000 baht, five mobile phones, two watches, two Malaysian credit cards, and other things totalling around 200,000 baht. The officers assumed that all of the items had been stolen.
Three Malaysian visitors who were staying at a hotel in downtown Hat Yai filed complaints, which led to the arrest. Police established that the Belgian suspect was staying in the same hotel at the time.
Hotel employees told detectives that the suspect was unable to converse in Thai and claimed to have lost his passport. He then exited the hotel.
Staff at another hotel in Songkhla’s Muang area informed the arresting team that the suspect had checked in there.
During the arrest, the suspect, Mr Abdelali Chadlaoui, denied any participation and began crying. He stated he had only come to visit the province and had not taken anything. Police contacted the three Malaysian tourists, who confirmed that the things discovered belonged to them.
Immigration officers also discovered that he had overstayed his visa by 63 days. He was originally charged with overstaying his visa. Investigators intend to contact other tourists who have reported crimes in order to acquire further evidence before pursuing theft charges.
South Korean Gangster Arrested for Visa Overstay
Meanwhile, Chon Buri, a key South Korean drug suspect accused of masterminding the smuggling of illegal substances from Thailand, was apprehended in Pattaya.
Choi Jin Tae, 40, was arrested by immigration officers while walking along Pattaya Sai 3 Road in Bang Lamung district on Wednesday, according to Pol Lt Col Veerachai Klinlamut, an inspector with the Chon Buri immigration office.
The arrest came when Pol Col Naphatphong Khositsuriyamani, superintendent of the Chon Buri immigration office, received a tip from the Narcotics Control Board about a wanted South Korean man hiding in Pattaya.
Investigators reviewed entry records and determined that Choi had overstayed his visa for 286 days.
The penalties for overstaying a visa is 500 baht each day, up to a maximum of 20,000 baht. An overstay of more than 90 days will result in a one-year or longer ban from the country, depending on the length of the overstay and the person’s cooperation with authorities.
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Geoff Thomas is an award winning journalist known for his sharp insights and no-nonsense reporting style. Over the years he has worked for Reuters and the Canadian Press covering everything from political scandals to human interest stories. He brings a clear and direct approach to his work.
