Bangkok Raid Leads to 58 Arrests for Illegal Employment
Immigration officials have arrested 58 individuals for illegal employment following a large-scale inspection of 10 entertainment venues across Bangkok.
Crackdown on Illegal Employment
The operation, conducted on March 27 and led by Police Major General Prasat Khemmaprasit, focused on karaoke bars and host bars in areas such as Bang Bon, Bang Khun Thian, Khlong Toei, and Rom Klao. Authorities found that only two out of the 10 establishments complied with legal employment regulations, while the remaining eight employed illegal foreign workers.
Foreign Workers Arrested
A total of 53 Laotians and four Vietnamese nationals were detained for various violations, including lacking work permits, overstaying visas, or entering Thailand illegally. Additionally, one employer was arrested for hiring undocumented workers.
Police Colonel Rapeepat Utsaha highlighted a shift in the business models of entertainment venues, with many karaoke bars now transitioning into host bars that employ male staff to entertain guests. Similarly, karaoke bars are increasingly hiring foreign women for similar roles.
Tourism Boom and Rising Illegal Employment
The increase in illegal employment coincides with government efforts to boost tourism, leading to a higher number of foreign nationals in Thailand. Authorities warn that this could result in an uptick in illegal activities, ranging from unauthorized employment to more serious crimes.
Immigration police, in collaboration with local law enforcement, have intensified efforts to monitor and arrest foreign nationals involved in illegal activities, particularly in high-risk areas on the outskirts of Bangkok.
Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal Workers
Preventive measures are also being implemented to inform tourists about the risks of being lured into illegal work in neighboring countries, according to a report from KhaoSod.
Meanwhile, Labour Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn confirmed that authorities are also targeting illegal foreign workers in Chon Buri. On March 26, a special task force called Tri-Thai Protectors was deployed to investigate Chinese-owned businesses in Si Racha district following complaints of illegal employment practices.
