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Student-visa crackdown to hit Phuket

PHUKET: Tourist Police in Phuket have confirmed they will launch a crackdown on foreigners staying on the island by use of a student visa and being enrolled in a Thai-language course only as a way of staying in the country, and not actually attending the courses they are enrolled in.

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By Tanyaluk Sakoot

Monday 30 April 2018, 01:23PM

The crackdown on foreign students enrolled in Thai-language courses in Phuket will begin on Wednesday (May 2). Photo: element5

Capt Ekkachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police confirmed to The Phuket News today (April 30) that raids will start on Wednesday (May 2).

“We will inspect language schools across the island,” Capt Ekkachai said.

Any irregularities in student enrolment and attendance will be investigated, he added.

“If we find any illegal activities, we will move to press charges against those involved, including the language school,” Capt Ekkachai warned.

The impending crackdown follows raids in Bangkok after romance scammers busted by police presented student visas to officers.

During the raids carried out in the capital last week to bust foreigners who had overstayed their visas, in an operation called X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner, officers also searched 74 international schools which provide language courses.

Maj Gen Surachet Hakpan of the Thai Tourist Police said the search came as some criminal elements from Africa were found to have enrolled as students at language schools.

“There are foreign criminals who come to Thailand and enrol on such courses so as to change their tourist visas to education visas, which grant them a permit for a much longer stay,” Gen Surachet said. (See story here.)

Sir Burr | 04 May 2018 - 15:21:50

The Phuket Tourist Police are going after the wrong target.
Ever wondered why there are so many Muay Thai training camps all over the island, most of them empty?
I guarantee you that they are all making money........

DeKaaskopp | 02 May 2018 - 15:31:25

Being"tone"deaf isn't an excuse.Same with"struggle with Asian languages"It's pure laziness. And living here for 15 years and still having to rely on English speaking Thais for everything is a shame.

Fascinated | 02 May 2018 - 00:05:52

I am tone deaf and struggle with asian languages so i should have to leave the country after 15 years because i cannot speak the language? What a ridiculous statement.

Kurt | 01 May 2018 - 18:44:16

Cops need boxing cops!   ( BangkokPost) Source: RTP.
Unscrupulous police officers were helping foreigners, some even illegal staying, to obtain a student visa at a cost of 40,000 baht as a "management' fee.
 
Repair the leaking RTP and immigration 'taps' before starting 'mopping' illegals!

peter rawai | 01 May 2018 - 12:22:40

Good idea but will it ever happen
I have met a few over the years who work illegally without a work visa and do nothing as far as contributing to the Thai economy goes, its far to easy to get away with it at present and the language schools should be made responsible for students who enroll then do not tend classes and given a heavy fine for not making them attend class

Kurt | 01 May 2018 - 10:01:24

How long is the duration of a thai language course?
Why not give a 'tourist visa' for the length/duration of the course?
If the foreigner like to continue with a 2nd course, hand out another visa for the time of course duration after showing the certificate of the 1st course.
Hold thai language school directors more responsible for what happen on their institutes. 
Expel 'no shows

DeKaaskopp | 30 April 2018 - 19:04:11

Speaking about Thai-language schools.It should be mandatory for everyone who wishes to stay here longer like retires etc.to visit such schools.Everyone who doesn't speak at least basic Thai after 2 years should not get a one-year visa anymore.

Foot | 30 April 2018 - 16:29:48

This was also done 4-5 years ago.  It's pretty easy for the schools to enforce the rules.
You use to have to attend two 2-hour classes a week.  Not very difficult regardless what your motivation is.

Any "crackdown" is more of an image thing.

Sir Burr | 30 April 2018 - 15:49:47

"Operation X-ray outlaw foreigner".
Priceless.....

Kurt | 30 April 2018 - 14:16:27

If this is really a big thing, you never know with by RTP directed attention, thai school directors having a problem
With school directors letters for Immigration the students get a visa
It looks like thai school directors violate thai immigration laws
Are students not obliged signing in just before they attend a class lesson? 
Now thai school directors are informed in advance of the crackdown

Asterix | 30 April 2018 - 13:29:54

Foreign criminals are very clever to cheat anywhere in the world and in particular in Thailand where corruption is rife.

Those foreign criminals will find other tricks to get visas to stay in Thailand as much they want to continue their lucrative and illegal businesses.

Asterix | 30 April 2018 - 13:29:40

Money from scams, cheating or through legal companies with illegal Thai nominees will pay largely the dough to corrupt civil servants.

Since few years, we see it with all hotels and tour companies owned at 100% by Chinese with the help of Thai nominees to look the companies as legal on papers.

Criminals have all-time one step ahead of any new regulation and it's true around the world.