Thailand has recently launched a raid targeting foreigners who have overstayed their visas. According to Thai media, Colonel Natakong, commander of the Ratchamanu Special Operations Unit, and Deputy Commander Charnalo, in collaboration with local police and relevant departments, successfully apprehended 19 overstaying foreign nationals in two hotels in Mae Sot District, Tak Province.
This operation took place in Mae Sot District, located on the border between Thailand and Myanmar. Thai cyber police, Tak Province police, provincial administrative departments, and other relevant law enforcement personnel participated in the raid. The police first conducted a thorough inspection of the hotel rooms and guest records to ensure no potential illegal overstayers were missed.
Through meticulous investigation, the staff discovered overstaying individuals from various countries in the hotel rooms, including 4 Vietnamese citizens, 6 Ethiopian citizens, 8 Indian citizens, and 1 citizen from Sierra Leone, totaling 19 people.
All these foreign nationals held electronic documents, which prompted the Thai authorities to further verify their identities and stay details. Since these individuals had stayed beyond their legal limits, their actions were suspected of violating Thai immigration laws. The police stated that all arrested individuals would be taken to Mae Sot Police Station for further processing and included in the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), a system designed to conduct background checks, confirm identities, and arrange necessary deportations through relevant departments.
This operation not only highlights Thailand's determination in combating cross-border illegal overstaying and immigration issues but also reflects the security situation and the complexity of immigration management in the Thai border areas. With Thailand strengthening cooperation with neighboring countries, similar raid operations are expected to continue to ensure the legality of foreigners in Thailand and prevent overstayers from engaging in illegal activities.
It is noteworthy that the 19 arrested foreign nationals come from different countries, some of whom may have overstayed in Thailand due to illegal employment or other reasons. Although Thailand has adopted relatively lenient policies in attracting foreign tourists and investors in recent years, issues of overstaying and illegal labor remain significant challenges for the Thai government. Therefore, the Thai Immigration Bureau and law enforcement agencies will continue to enhance the supervision and management of foreign nationals' legal residence in Thailand, ensuring national security and social order.
Furthermore, Thai authorities have also stated that they will cooperate with the diplomatic departments of other countries to effectively handle these illegal overstayers and ensure that their deportation procedures comply with international laws and regulations. These series of actions not only help uphold the rule of law in the country but also serve as a warning to foreigners: when residing or working in Thailand for an extended period, it is essential to abide by local laws and regulations to avoid legal consequences.
