Pattaya, Thailand – January 8th, 2026
In a coordinated operation targeting illegal migrant labor, Pattaya police joined forces with immigration and tourist police units to raid the bustling Ratnakorn Market on Thepprasit Road, a well-known shopping hub in Jomtien.
The raid took place on January 6th, led by Pol. Col. Wasurat Chaithiraphat, Deputy Commander of Chonburi Provincial Police; Pol. Col. Anek Sratongyu, Chief of Pattaya City Police Station; and Pol. Lt. Col. Arut Saphanon, Deputy Chief of Investigations at Pattaya City Police Station. Officers focused on eight fruit stalls within the market, which boasts over 1,000 vendor stalls and is a popular spot for both locals and tourists.
During the inspection, authorities encountered 25 foreign workers from three nationalities: Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar (Burma). The group included 17 men and 8 women. Of these, 21 were found to have valid visa documentation and valid work permits
However, four individuals were detained for immigration violations:
– Two for overstaying their visas (one Laotian man and one Cambodian woman).
– Two for illegal entry into Thailand (one Cambodian man and one Laotian man).
Pol. Col. Wasurat Chaithiraphat explained that the operation aligns with a national police policy to address issues surrounding foreign labor. Directives from the Royal Thai Police headquarters have been relayed through Regional Police Bureau 2 to intensify enforcement against undocumented workers.
“This is part of an ongoing effort to surround and search targeted locations,” he said. “We will continue these crackdowns consistently to ensure foreign workers comply with the law. This helps prevent potential crimes by outsiders that could impact the safety of residents and tourists.”
The detained individuals are expected to face legal proceedings before deportation proceedings begin. Similar operations have been conducted in Pattaya in recent years as authorities seek to regulate the large migrant workforce in the tourism-driven city.
