Immigration raid catches 17 Chinese tourists 'working illegally at factory in Thailand'

Police caught 17 Chinese tourists allegedly working illegally at a factory in Thailand.

Immigration Division 3 raided the Tuopu Technology factory in Chachoengsao in a crackdown on unauthorised migrant workers in the country.

Footage shows officers sweeping into the building, where they found 17 Chinese nationals working in various roles, including factory management, machinery installation and control, electrical wiring, accounting and construction work.

The suspects were unable to present valid work permits when pressed. They were detained and charged with 'being foreigners working without work permits or working beyond the scope of their permitted rights'.

The workers were then taken to Plaeng Yao Police Station for further legal action as police further probe the factory's hiring network and management structure.

Police Colonel Suriya Phuangsombat, superintendent of Immigration Division 3's Investigation Sub-division, said the raid was launched following a tip about allegedly smuggled Chinese nationals working at the factory.

The police chief said: 'This operation is part of proactive measures to prevent and suppress offences committed by foreigners, particularly through continuous inspections of commercial establishments.

‘Permissions to stay will not be allowed to be used as a way to engage in illegal employment, and any violations will face strict prosecution.

‘Should any individual be found violating the law or meeting the grounds for revocation, their permission to stay in the country will be strictly revoked in accordance with the law.'

Under Thailand's Foreign Employment Act, tourists are banned from working in dozens of occupations including tour guiding, labour work, agriculture, and hairdressing. They are also prohibited from working in the country without a valid permit.

Violators may be fined 5,000 to 50,000 THB and may face deportation to their home country. They will also be banned from seeking a Thai work permit for two years.

While Thai employers may be fined between 10,000 and 100,000 baht per illegal employee.  Repeat violators face up to one year in jail, a steeper fine of 50,000 to 200,000 baht per illegal worker, and a three-year ban from hiring foreigners.