However, almost half were later released without charge after their employers turned up at the police station with their work permits.
Wonsurachat Decharun, Deputy Chief of Security Affairs Group at Phuket Provincial Office, and officials from the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command joined together to take part in the raids targetting workers located in Thalang.
Mr Wonsurachat said, “The first raid was carried out at 2:30pm at a camp on Moo 1, Srisoonthorn where 70 arrests were made.
“We then went on to raid a construction site in Moo 4, Thepkrasatti where a further 34 migrant workers were arrested,” he said.
“All those arrested were taken to Thalang Police Station to be formally charged, however, during this process some of the worker’s employers came to the station and presented their employee’s paperwork confirming they were legal workers.
“I understand that there are around 50 migrant workers who are still being held as nobody has come forward with their paperwork to confirm their legality,” he added.