National police chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch on Tuesday (May 12) ordered stepped-up measures, including an urgent three-month campaign, aimed at eradicating transnational crime and other illegal activities by foreigners, reports the Bangkok Post.
They focus on preventing transnational crime, illegal immigration and use of Thailand as a transit point or hiding place for criminal activities, as well as illegal employment or nominee businesses that affect the people’s livelihood and national order, police spokesman Pol Lt Gen Trairong Piwpan said.
The crackdown has three phases, Pol Lt Gen Trairong said.
IMMEDIATE 3-MONTH MEASURES
All units are instructed to inspect foreigners within their jurisdictions, compile databases and identify target groups of foreigners linked to drug trafficking, economic crimes, tax, customs or corporate offences, cybercrime, individuals posing threats to society or planning violent acts, illegal immigration networks, prostitution, human trafficking and national-level trafficking operations.
The Centre for Suppression of Transnational Criminals and Illegal Immigration was instructed to consider establishing a ‘joint task force’ with related agencies to drive operations at both policy and provincial levels.
The mentioned agencies include the ministries of Commerce and Finance, Anti-Money Laundering Office, Bank of Thailand, Customs Department, Excise Department and Department of Land.
The crackdown should prioritise urgent target areas first while assessing other areas based on the severity of the situation, with continuous operational plans to be implemented.
MEDIUM-TERM MEASURES: 6–9 MONTHS
The Immigration Bureau will lead operations with relevant agencies to inspect foreigner databases, verify documents and evidence, review visa extension requests and examine foreign business operations.
If any wrongdoing is found, metropolitan and provincial police units and security agencies will enforce applicable laws and consider revocation of permission for foreigners to remain in the kingdom.
Authorities are also instructed to study related laws and propose amendments or improvements to strengthen law enforcement efficiency and close loopholes exploited by foreign offenders.
Nationwide, police were ordered to intensively expand investigations into all associated criminal networks under an “uproot and eradicate” approach. If state officials are found involved or complicit, strict legal and disciplinary action must be taken immediately.
LONG-TERM MEASURES: 1-2 YEARS
Authorities are to develop a comprehensive foreigner database system covering inspections and immigration status. This will be integrated with the OnePolice system of the RTP for all units to efficiently access and verify such information.
The system will also connect databases down to local levels. Coordination and information-sharing with foreigners’ home countries will also be enhanced to support immigration denial measures, monitoring and blacklist systems, arrest warrants, foreign arrival reporting and advance passenger screening measures.
These measures would align appropriately with the government’s tourism policy, the RTP said.
FOREIGNERS SETTLING IN THAILAND
The Ministry of Interior is preparing to propose to the Cabinet the establishment of a national policy committee and local-level mechanisms to tackle nominee business arrangements.
Passakorn Boonyalak, deputy permanent secretary of the ministry, on Tuesday chaired talks with relevant agencies to accelerate efforts to address the issue of the increased number of foreigners settling in Thailand and dominating local businesses.
Mr Passakorn said one contributing factor is the ongoing conflicts in various regions of the world, prompting migration to Thailand, along with visa exemption policies that have made entry to the country easier.
There was concern about foreign nationals using Thai citizens as nominees to purchase or hold land and real estate, as well as operate businesses that compete with locals, and foreigners working without permits.
Affected industries include hotel and accommodation businesses, hospitals, private universities, restaurants and other services businesses, Mr Passakorn said.
The government views these issues as urgent problems that require swift action, as they could lead to other concerns such as the formation of influential groups, criminal activities and the use of the country as a base for various illegal operations.
Tuesday’s meeting then focused on discussing integrated cooperation among all agencies in order to establish concrete, systematic and comprehensive mechanisms, Mr Passakorn said.
The meeting participants have also reviewed a draft Prime Minister’s Office order appointing a policy committee to address the problems, which would include two subcommittees on integrated solutions to foreign settlement and foreign business domination, and on revising laws and regulations related to foreign business operations.