Five Illegal Workers Arrested at Chinese-Owned Construction Site

Immigration police under Provincial Police Region 3 commander Major General Songpruet Sirisuk conducted a raid on August 21, 2024, at a Chinese-owned construction company in Mab Kha subdistrict, Nikhom Phatthana district, Rayong province, after intelligence indicated foreign workers were employed at the site. Officers inspected travel documents and work permits, discovering five foreign nationals in violation of Thai law.

The arrested workers comprised two Chinese nationals and three Myanmar nationals, charged under two categories of violations. Three workers—one Chinese and two Myanmar nationals—were charged with illegally entering and remaining in Thailand without authorization and working without a valid work permit or outside the scope of their authorization. The remaining two workers—one Chinese and one Myanmar national—were charged solely with unauthorized employment or working beyond their permitted scope.

All five were informed of the charges and transferred to Nikhom Phatthana police station in Rayong for legal proceedings. Major General Songpruet emphasized that the operation is part of an ongoing crackdown on foreign nationals who illegally enter, remain, or work in Thailand without proper authorization. Officials are expanding the investigation to identify employers and other parties involved in hiring unauthorized workers, with the aim of prosecuting them for hiring or harboring illegal workers and permitting employment outside authorized terms. Authorities are also preparing to revoke the residency permission of all five workers.