Overstaying Chinese tourists, illegal migrant workers nabbed in Bangkok

BANGKOK, August 31 (TNA) - Thai authorities concerned have arrested 13 Chinese tourists who have stayed beyond their visa period and worked illegally in Bangkok, as well as another group of illegal migrant workers from neighbouring countries. Receiving public tip-offs, the authorities, including those from the Thai Ministry of Labour's Department of Employment, the Immigration Bureau and soldiers, raided six commercial buildings in the capital's Huay Kwang area on August 30 and found the 19 foreign workers, including the 13 Chinese nationals, two hill-tribe people, three illegal Myanmar workers and a foreign employer. A labour specialist, Nuttaphol Rakchart, told reporters that an initial interrogation found the arrested Chinese nationals entered Thailand with a 30 day-tourist visa and have overstayed their visa for working in the area with their monthly salaries of 8,000-10,000 baht. According to the Chinese people, they are demanded by employers who need Chinese-speaking workers with cheaper salaries than Chinese-speaking Thai workers. Tuesday's opertion followed public reports that Chinese nationals rented the places and opened shops selling food, souvenirs and bedding. The Thai authorities said that most shops in the area are run by Chinese people but having Thai nominees as owners of their businesses. The Thai labour specialist stressed that his ministry will continue cracking down illegal foreign workers after the latest round of official registration of foreign workers was closed on July 29, 2016. Based on Thai laws, illegal foreign workers face a maximum five-year jail term each and/or a fine of 2,000-10,000 baht, while local employers who hire illegal foreign workers are subject to a fine of 10,000-1000,000 baht for each illegal worker. (TNA)