As pointed out in the video, posted by ‘Ride with Gabi’, nearly all the people in the slum, an impoverished community near the Phuket Fishing Port on the east side of Phuket Town, are Myanmar migrant workers.
Officials have avoided saying the raid was in response to the video, which was titled ‘The Other Side of Phuket’.
Instead, according to an official report of a high-profile press conference chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday afternoon (Mar 17), Phuket authorities “have addressed concerns regarding reports of a foreign-run Myanmar community and a free school operating in the province”.
The school, operated by the ‘Good Shepherd Phuket Town’ Foundation, has been ordered to halt formal teaching, but is allowed to continue to provide activities for children and youths, Vice Governor Adul said.
Vice Governor Adul stated that Phuket authorities had dispatched officials to inspect the foundation earlier yesterday, but gave no reason for the inspection.
The Phuket Provincial Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), along with the Phuket Provincial Employment Office, the Phuket Provincial Administration Office (PPAO), Mueang Phuket District Office, Phuket Immigration and the Phuket Provincial office of Social Development and Human Security, conducted a fact-finding visit to the school, located in Soi Hatchananiwet 2/9, said the report.
The investigation revealed the presence of three foreign volunteers ‒ an American, an Irish national and a Hong Kong Chinese national ‒ who were offering their services without receiving financial compensation.
Officials confirmed that, according to the Office of the Council of State, volunteering for a public charity organisation does not constitute employment and does not require a work permit, the report said.
Additionally, 10 foreigners held valid work permits, including one German national, one individual without registration status and eight Myanmar nationals, the report added.
Phuket Immigration and the Provincial Employment Office have requested documentation from the parents of over 300 children enrolled at the foundation to verify their immigration and employment status.
The Phuket Provincial Education Office has been assigned to investigate whether the foundation was operating an unauthorised educational institution. If found in violation, offenders could face up to one year in prison or a fine of up to B20,000, the report warned.
Meanwhile, formal education at the foundation will cease, but children and youths will still be allowed to participate in non-academic activities.
Phuket officials emphasised their commitment to maintaining social order and managing foreign workers in accordance with government regulations, the report said.
Further inspections and legal actions will be carried out as necessary to ensure compliance with the law, the report concluded.