BANGKOK — Police said they arrested 10 “black people” for various offenses early Thursday morning in an operation they self described as racially motivated, which is legal under Thai law.
Ten people from various African countries and India were paraded in front of reporters at the Nana Hotel in Soi Sukhumvit 4 at about 1AM on January 30th, 2018. They were all detained in a raid on dark-skinned foreigners earlier that night as part of an ongoing effort police have dubbed “Operation Black Eagle” which has been ongoing for several months in which police specifically ask dark skinned foreigners for their passport and proof of being in the country legally.
“In this raid, we found some people who had overstayed their visas,” Police Major General Surachet Hakpal stated to the press. “We searched restaurants, bars, party spots and eateries around Nana and Soi Cowboy. In so doing, we have secured a safer place for tourists and ensured their trust.”
Footage from the raid shows Surachet walking among the arrested asking, “Where you from?
Surachet has been responsible for Operation Black Eagle since it began last year under orders of senior Junta leaders.
Major General Surachet was behind a number of raids that were similar in the prior year and stated Operation Black Eagle has netted over 145 arrests and inspections of over 400 dark skinned foreigners.
The 10 arrests this morning included a Nigerian and Ghanaian who had entered the country illegally; two Indians, two Nigerians and two Ugandans who’d overstayed their visas; one Kenyan working without a permit and one Ugandan possessing cocaine.
We here at The Pattaya News remind our readers that everyone, regardless of where they are from, should carry a passport copy with them WITH their entry stamp copied as well and be in the country legally at all times. Be safe.
