Twelve of the Chinese labourers, all men 24 to 59 years old, were arrested at the Baan Pa Khlok Cheep housing construction worksite, in Moo 8, Tambon Thepkrasattri. The remaining 18 were arrested along Wong Chalerm Village Road, in Moo 5, Tambon Thepkrasattri.
When Thalang Police officers arrived at the Baan Pa Khlok Cheep housing worksite, some of the workers were seen fleeing, according to a report by Thalang Police Chief Pol Col Nikorn Chuthong,
All 30 men detained were found to have legally entered the country, but were not permitted to work. All 30 have been charged with working illegally in Thailand, Col Kikorn said.
Police were continuing their investigation and have arrested “the employer” (not named in the official report) for questioning “to gain clarity on the use of foreign workers”, he said.
The investigation into human trafficking continued at Thalang Police Station this morning (Dec 20) with officials from the Phuket office of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security called in along with officers from the Phuket Provincial Labor Protection and Welfare Office.
Tourist Police will provide an interpreter, and Phuket Immigration will join Investigators from Thalang Police will join the questioning of the 30 men to determine how they came to be working illegally at a construction site in Phuket.
“If it is found that such foreign workers are victims according to the Human Trafficking Act, they will be referred to a victim separation centre. and [police] continue to prosecute those involved according to the Human Trafficking Act,” Col Nikorn assured.