Immigration officers ramped up their efforts to crack down on illegal activities involving foreign nationals over the course of half a month, from Oct 9-18, said a report by the Phuket branch of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket).
Officers inspected 22 locations across the island including establishments and residences where foreign nationals frequently gather.
A total of 621 foreigners were checked, and 12 foreigners were arrested for violating the Immigration Act or the Emergency Decree on Management of Foreign Workers Employment 2017 (see here), the report said.
Phuket Immigration Chief Pol Col Kriangkrai Arayaying said that officers’ efforts will continue, with a focus on foreign nationals operating illegal businesses, acting as criminal influencers, or engaging in ‘gang-related’ activities.
Phuket Immigration is determined to target those violating the law in an effort to ensure public safety in the area, the report noted.
The arrests were not directly reported by Phuket Immigration, but the report by PR Phuket came as Pol Col Suphot Yongstar, Deputy Commander of Immigration Bureau 6, arrived in Phuket yesterday (Oct 24) to inspect the main Phuket Immigration office in Phuket Town.
While in Phuket, Pol Col Suphot also visited the operations at the Phuket Yacht Control Center at Chalong Pier.