ISOC Region 4, under the Royal Thai Army, reported that the joint operation was carried out at the Ayana Heights Seaview Residence Phuket project at about 10am yesterday (June 18) after officials received a tip-off from local residents about suspicious activities involving foreign nationals.
The raid was led by the 4th Army Region’s Command Centre for Combating New Forms of Security Threats and Counter-Terrorism in the 14 Southern Border Provinces, with support from the 41st Military Police Battalion, the 1st Battalion of the 15th Infantry Regiment and other relevant agencies.
Officials said the investigation was launched following reports that Chinese nationals were working as engineers and site supervisors at the project, while most of the construction workforce consisted of Myanmar nationals.
During the inspection, officers arrested 16 Chinese supervisors for working while staying in the country on visas that did not permit them to work in Thailand.
They also detained 62 Myanmar workers who were unable to produce documents proving they had legally entered the country.
All suspects were handed over to investigators at Cherng Talay Police Station for legal action.
Authorities said investigators are preparing case files for submission to the Phuket Provincial Court. Once legal proceedings are complete, the foreign nationals will be transferred to Phuket Immigration for deportation.
Officials confirmed that the investigation is continuing and has been expanded to examine possible offences involving foreign nominee business arrangements and other violations of Thai law.
Authorities said further legal action will be taken against anyone found to have committed offences.