Pattaya – A major operation by immigration police in Chonburi Province has led to the discovery of more than 100 illegal foreign workers at a luxury hotel construction site on Pattaya Second Road.
The joint operation was led by Pol. Col. Naphasapong Khositsuriyamanee, Superintendent of Chonburi Immigration Police, Pol. Col. Jirapong Ruchiramongchai, Superintendent of Investigation, Immigration Bureau Division 3, and Mr. Wuttichai Rotcharoen, a labor expert from the Chonburi Provincial Employment Office.
More than 50 officers surrounded the construction site yesterday, November 7th, 2024, where hundreds of Thai and neighboring workers were found performing their duties. Upon the sudden arrival of the officers, many foreign workers scattered, abandoning their tools and equipment. Some even jumped over the wall and fled into the forest behind the site.
The inspection revealed that there were over 500 workers present, including more than 100 migrant workers from Myanmar and Cambodia. Among them, 12 individuals were found guilty of illegally entering the country through natural channels in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, while 88 had failed to report their current residence to Immigration authorities. These workers were taken to the Pattaya Immigration Checkpoint for legal action.
Simultaneously, the Chonburi Immigration Bureau, led by Pol. Lt. Col. Charit Raosathian and Pol. Lt. Col. Sirawut Maniphan, conducted a raid on a migrant worker camp in the Pinthong 4 area in the Si Racha District. Here, over 300 migrant workers were inspected, resulting in the arrest of 21 individuals for various offenses including expired visa permissions, failing to submit required forms, and entering the Kingdom without permission. These individuals were handed over to the Nong Kham Police Station for further legal proceedings.
Pol. Col. Naphasapong emphasized that the crackdown on illegal workers at construction sites and labor camps aligns with the policy of Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet, the national police chief and are part of a national crackdown as we reported here. This operation aims to address illegal employment practices and ensure safety and security during the high tourist season.
