28-12-2023 (BANGKOK) A significant influx of Chinese individuals engaging in illegal employment in Phuket Province, Thailand, has prompted law enforcement agencies to conduct two separate operations resulting in the arrest of a total of 58 Chinese nationals.
The first operation took place on December 19, when District 8 Police Station, Phuket Local Police Station, and the Immigration Bureau Police Department collaborated to apprehend 30 Chinese workers at a construction site in Tarong County, Phuket Province. Following the arrests, all individuals were handed over to the Tarong Police Station for lawful proceedings.
Subsequently, reports reached the police in Thanong District, Phuket, indicating a considerable presence of Chinese workers at another construction site dedicated to a hotel project. Responding to the information, law enforcement initiated an investigation on December 26. The workers attempted to evade the police upon their arrival, but authorities successfully detained all 28 individuals. The suspects were then transferred to the Choeng Thale Police Station for legal processing.
During police interrogation, the arrested individuals disclosed that they had entered the country using tourist visas and were recruited by a Chinese man identified as He. The workers, residing in on-site accommodations during their employment, primarily undertook construction and interior decoration tasks. According to their statements, they were not coerced into working.
The arrested individuals detailed their daily working hours, which ranged from 8 am to 5:30 pm. The negotiated remuneration with the Chinese supervisor, He, amounted to 3,000 baht (approximately S$115.70) per day. Payment, however, was contingent on completing two months of work. Throughout this period, He assumed responsibility for their lodging, meals, and other necessities.
