The confirmation came through a slew of announcements posted on the Phuket Immigration official Facebook page yesterday (Apr 8).
Phuket Immigration yesterday recognised that it had joined the raids last Thursday (Apr 4), specifically naming the Octopus restaurant and ST Accounting as the targets in two raids.
Of note, none of the reports of the raids posted by Phuket Provincial Police (see here and here), Region 8 Police (see here) or even the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB, see here) mentioned Immigration officers or ST Accounting.
Phuket Immigration yesterday noted only one arrest as a result of the raids, that of a ‘Mr Pavel’, 47, which was already openly noted in police reports.
The raids were conducted with the intent of enforcing the Foreign Business Act, with special focus on the illegal use of nominees, Phuket Immigration explained.
ST Accounting has already come under close scrutiny for setting up companies using nominees following a raid by Department of Special investigation (DSI) officers in June last year.
DSI Director General Pol Maj Suriya Singhakamol, in Phuket to lead the raid, explained that the company was under investigation for its involvement in facilitating nearly 70 foreigners illegally operating companies with holdings worth an estimated total of B440 million.
In its slew of posts online yesterday, Phuket Immigration confirmed that nine other businesses were inspected for illegal use of nominees. The inspections by officers from the DSI, Phuket Immigration Phuket Provincial Police, the Phuket Provincial Tourism and Sports Office and Phuket Tourist Police.
The businesses were named as: 1) Sea Sunday Co Ltd; 2) Travanta Travel Co Ltd; 3) Crystal Cruise Co Ltd; 4) Joy Joy Scuba Co Ltd; 5) BBS-Tour Co Ltd; 6) AIM Diving Co Ltd; 7) HF Solutions Co Ltd; 8) Marlin Fishing Club Co Ltd; 9) Andaman Diving and Travel Co Ltd.
No offences were found, Phuket Immigration confirmed.
OVERSTAYS
Among the Phuket Immigration reports yesterday were those announcing the arrests of one Russian man who attempted to flee and two Pakistani men arrested in Patong for overstay (staying in the country after the permit to stay issued by the Immigration Bureau had expired).
The Russian man, named as ‘Mr Sergey’ (surname withheld), 46, had been found to overstay in the country by 351 days.
Acting on a tip-off, officers stopped Mr Sergey by the side of the road near Supicha Sino Kohkaew 8 housing estate at about 4:30pm on Apr 1.
While Immigration officers were questioning him, Mr Sergey attempted to flee, but officers gave chase and apprehended him, said the report.
Mr Sergey suffered abrasions on both knees and both arms, and his left heel, as officers took him into custody, Phuket Immigration reported.
Mr Sergey entered Thailand on Sept 24, 2019 through the immigration checkpoint at Phuket International Airport. His visa allowed him to stay 90 days, until Apr 16, 2023.
Mr Sergey was informed of the charge of overstay against him and handed over to Phuket City Police for further legal action, Phuket Immigration confirmed.
Acting on another tip-off, officers arrested two Pakistani nationals at a rented room on Rath-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd in Patong at about 12:30pm on Apr 2.
Both of the men were unable to present to officers their passports or any other evidence that they had permission to remain in the country.
Both men ‒ ‘Mr Anees’, 26, and ‘Mr Ashfaq’, 34, were taken to Patong Police Station while officers checked immigration records.
It was found that, ‘Mr Anees’ had entered Thailand on Dec 30, 2022, through Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok. His visa had allowed to stay 60 days, until Feb 27, 2023. He had overstayed 398 days
Mr Ashfaq had entered Thailand on Mar 3, 2023 through Suvarnabhumi Airport. His tourist visa had allowed him to stay 60 days, until May 1, 2023. He had overstayed 337 days.
While the men were at Patong Police station, officers charged them both with illegally staying in the country.