CORRECTION: Phuket Immigration later confirmed that 401 was the number of foreigners checked for overstay during August, with the Top 5 nationalities checked given as: Russian (94), Myanmar (60), Chinese (40), British (27) and Australian (23). Only 16 foreigners were arrested for overstay and breaches of the Immigration Act. The error is sincerely regretted.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Phuket Immigration released three reports yesterday (Sept 3), marking the number and nationalities of foreigners arriving directly in Phuket from abroad, the number of foreigners registered as staying in the province, and the number of people arrested for breaches of the Immigration Act.
According to the reports, Phuket Immigration had 263 “Target” venues listed to be inspected, reported as: 93 in Mueang District, 89 in Kathu District and 81 in Thalang District.
Among those, Karon Police inspected 15 venues, Chalong Police inspected 13, Wichit Police inspected eight venues, Patong Police inspected seven venues, Phuket City Police inspected four venues, Kathu Police inspected two venues, as did Thalang Police, and Kamala Police inspected one venue.
Of the 401 foreigners caught for overstay (staying in Thailand longer than the period allowed by their permit too stay), the Top 5 nationalities of offenders were given as: Russian (94), Myanmar (60), Chinese (40), British (27) and Australian (23).
In total, 11 people were arrested for breaches of the Immigration Act: seven for overstay alone; one for overstay and other breaches of the Immigration Act; two for breaches of Section 38; and one for breach of Section 37(2) of the Immigration Act
Section 38 of the Immigration Act mandates: “House owners, heads of household, landlords or managers of hotels who accommodate foreign nationals on a temporary basis who stay in the kingdom legally, must notify the local immigration authorities within 24 hours from the time of arrival of the foreign national.”
Section 37 (2) of the Immigration Act marks: “An alien having received a temporary permit into the Kingdom must comply with the following… If, in any case, there is a law concerning alien employment provided hereafter, the granting of work privileges must comply with the law concerned. (2) Shall stay at the place as indicated to the competent official.”
Five foreigners were arrested during August on outstanding arrest warrants, Phuket Immigration also noted in its report.
Under the ‘White Housing Project for Foreigners (Free from Crime and Drugs) Phuket Province’ campaign, two landlords were arrested for breaches of Section 38 of the Immigration Act, while 212 hotels and other guest accommodation venues were “educated” of the requirements of Section 38.
ARRIVALS
From Aug 1-31, a total of 309,253 foreigners had entered the country by air by landing in Phuket.
Arrivals from China marked the most common arrival in Phuket by air, with 64,674 Chinese nationals arriving during the month.
Arrivals from Russia held second place with 39,209 Russians landing in Phuket, followed by Australians (20,437), Indian nationals (18,175) and Malaysians (16,241).
A total of 412,515 foreigners, including tourists staying at guest accommodations, were registered as staying in Phuket during August.
Foreigners arriving in Phuket by sea totalled 11,678 during the month, which saw three cruise liners, 33 yachts, 15 cargo vessels but zero new fishing boats recorded as entering Phuket.
The Top 5 nationalities recorded as arriving by sea were given as: Singapore (4,987), Malaysia (4,658), Indonesia (779), India (599) and China (253).