The spate of arrests came without explanation, other than Phuket Provincial Police posting a message on their official Facebook page, “Right now, in every area in Phuket, the police are taking offenses committed by tourists seriously. We want the people of Phuket to trust us.”
However, in the fallout of the case involving Swiss expat Urs Fhr, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said he had instructed the Royal Thai Police and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to step up measures to ensure foreigners comply with the laws.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul warned foreigners living in Thailand to abide by the law or their visas would be revoked, and Phuket Provincial Police Chief Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum said officials would consider a blacklist or visa revocation against foreigners who break the law in Phuket.
Among the foreigners listed as arrested in the spate of announcements yesterday was a Russian man arrested at 3:30pm for working illegally at a marijuana shop in Kathu.
Russian Tatiana Zaichkina, 22, and Timur Tuktalov, 26, were arrested under a search warrant in Moo 4, Wichit, and charged with overstaying in the country since Feb 1.
Australian Carl Ken Haddad, 22, was arrested at the Nong Harn lagoon in Karon for possession of illegal possession of diazepam, which in Thailand is classified as a Category 4 psychotropic substance.
Sakhu Police on Tuesday (Mar 5) arrested Russian national Andrei Alexandrov, 37, at a currency exchange booth near Nai Yang Beach after it was found his permit to stay expired on Monday (Mar 4). He was charged for overstay even though at the time of his arrest he had overstayed in the country just one day.
In Cherng Talay, police arrested British national Adam Howard-Fleming, 35, and two Myanmar men, named as Eingwe Win, 34, and Yian Nay Su, 28, and Myanmar woman Su Su Khaing, 29, for working illegally without a work permit or for performing work not listed in the work permit at the Mekka Jerk restaurant near the Bang Tao Night Market
Kathu Police arrested a 26-year-old Australian man, not named in their report at a rented room near the Si Kor Intersection in Kathu for overstaying in the country by 34 days. The Australian was also wanted for failing to pay B178,185 in hospital fees after he was involved in a motorbike accident in January.
In Patong, police arrested a 28-year-old Romanian man, not named in their report, on Phra Metta Rd for working illegally by selling tours to tourists.
Four Myanmar workers were arrested at the construction site of Beachfront Bliss Condo in Nai Yang. None of the workers were able to provide passports or work permits, and were charged for illegally entering the country and working illegally. The report made no mention of legal action against their employer.
The arrests continued with Russian national Denis Gaikov, 34, arrested at 11:30pm last night (Mar 6) for working illegally at the ‘Bada Bing’ cannabis store in Wichit.
In Mai Khao, Kazakhstan national Yekaterina Fyodorova, 50, was arrested in front of MBC Condotel for working without a work permit by “driving a vehicle for hire”.
The arrests targetting foreigners found breaking any laws in Phuket are expected to continue.
Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub