NAKHON PATHOM, THAILAND – Thai immigration authorities launched a sweeping year-end raid in Nakhon Pathom, detaining 139 foreign nationals and fining landlords for failing to report their tenants.
Coordinated sweep targets foreign residents
Under the command of Police Colonel Jiraphong Rujiradamrongchai, officers from Immigration Division 3 carried out a coordinated operation in Kamphaeng Saen district, focusing on Sa Phatthana subdistrict. The team used modern biometric databases to verify documents in real time.
Officials reported that many of the migrants encountered, mainly from Myanmar, were not properly registered at their residential address. Authorities stated that this constituted a clear violation of Paragraph 38 of the Thai Immigration Act, and arrests were made immediately.
Landlords face six-figure fines
Thai law requires landlords or property owners to report the arrival date of every foreign tenant to immigration authorities within 24 hours. Those who fail to comply face significant financial penalties.
In this operation, the total fine for the landlords amounted to 222,400 baht, equivalent to about 5,560 euros. Each case was handled individually, and officials used the opportunity to remind local business owners and residents of their legal obligations.
Authorities cite national security concerns
Police Colonel Jiraphong stressed that the campaign went beyond minor regulatory breaches.
“These measures serve national security.”
said Jiraphong Rujiradamrongchai, police colonel.
He warned that gaps in the reporting system could otherwise be exploited by suspected criminals seeking to hide in local communities. The raid was intended to send a clear message, and the public was urged to report suspicious persons or activities directly to the Nakhon Pathom immigration office, which pledged to take decisive legal action without exception.
Part of a broader nationwide crackdown
Officials said the Nakhon Pathom sweep formed part of a nationwide year-end offensive by immigration services. Recently, five Indian nationals and one Thai woman were arrested in Phuket over illegal employment, also linked to efforts to tackle unlawful foreign labor.
The government has made the fight against illegal migration and unregistered work a priority, aiming to protect the safety of residents and tourists. Authorities indicated that similar checks would continue in other provinces.
Stricter rules for foreigners and landlords
For foreigners living in Thailand, officials underlined that reporting obligations must now be followed strictly. Moving to a new address without proper registration could quickly lead to arrest.
Thai landlords were told that due diligence was increasingly important, including checking the documents of foreign tenants and filing the required notifications promptly online or at local police stations. Immigration authorities, equipped with upgraded technology, signaled a policy of zero tolerance toward non-compliance.
More high-tech tools, more inspections ahead
The successful use of the biometric database in Nakhon Pathom was expected to be replicated elsewhere. Immigration police planned further large-scale inspections across Thailand, focusing on areas with high numbers of foreign workers.
Officials said Thailand aimed to maintain control over its borders and communities, describing the Nakhon Pathom operation as only the high-profile beginning of a tougher approach. For those staying in the country without proper status, the space to remain undetected was becoming ever smaller.