BANGKOK, THAILAND – Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered the drafting of legal amendments to expedite the deportation of foreign offenders from the country.
Cabinet Gives Green Light for Harsher Deportation Rules
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Anutin instructed the cabinet to revise the immigration law and its associated regulations. The task of drafting these changes has been assigned to his deputy, Pakorn Nilprapunt, the Immigration Bureau, and the Ministry of Interior. These amendments are to be prepared promptly, according to government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek, who spoke after the cabinet meeting. The guiding principles for these changes are national security, public interest, and Thailand’s international commitments.
Why the Current Process Leaves Much to Be Desired
Under the current system, foreign suspects must first go through the entire criminal proceedings before deportation becomes possible. While they can be released on bail, they are usually required to surrender their passports during this period. However, authorities report that some individuals involved in these cases simply return to their criminal activities during this interim phase.
Only after the legal proceedings are concluded are foreigners slated for deportation placed in an immigration detention center. This lengthy process has been identified as a significant loophole for repeat offenders.
Tourist Hotspots as a Cloak for Criminals
Police have observed that foreign suspects tend to congregate in key tourist destinations. These locations allow them to easily blend in with expatriate communities and established business networks.
Consequently, over the past few months, authorities have intensified their surveillance and investigative operations in these areas. Notable regions where these operations have been expanded include Koh Phangan in Surat Thani, Phuket, Pai in Mae Hong Son, and Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Anutin: “Those Who Break Laws Get Kicked Out”
The government spokesperson quoted the Prime Minister directly, stating his clear stance. “Thailand is pleased to welcome foreign tourists, investors, and businesspeople,” she relayed. “However, for those who violate laws or harm the country, a different approach applies.”
“Those who arrive and break laws or cause damage to the country must be vigorously prosecuted and deported as quickly as possible,”
said Anutin, as quoted by Rachada.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the government is taking a strong stance against transnational crime, including call center scams, fraudulent businesses, and other illegal activities. The goal is to significantly increase pressure on criminal networks operating within these popular tourist centers.
What Happens Next
The designated bodies are now actively working on the legal amendments to drastically accelerate the deportation process. A specific timeline for the implementation of these changes has not yet been announced.
The proposed new regulations aim to prevent foreign criminals from re-offending after being released on bail. Thailand intends to further heighten its pressure on criminal networks operating in its tourist hubs.