BANGKOK, Oct 10 (TNA) – Fifty seven Pakistanis have been arrested for violating immigration laws as Thailand has started a one-month police campaign to crackdown on foreigners overstaying their visas.
The Thai government on Monday ordered the Immigration Bureau to launch the campaign against foreign offenders who are considered threats to national security.
Immigration police led by acting bureau chief Pol Maj Gen Surachet Hakpan on Wednesday arrested the 57 Pakistani nationals at a house in Bangkok. All of them had overstayed their visas for about one year, he said.
Since Monday when the campaign was launched, more than 1,000 foreigners had been deported, he said, adding that there were estimated 50,000 foreign nationals overstaying their visas in the Kingdom.
Pol Maj Gen Surachet said he was confident that the police force could complete the mission within the one-month timeframe by conducting speedy checks on foreigners and intensified surveillance.
Police would collect data on the professions of most illegal expatriates including professional athletes and language teachers, he said.
The government’s order came after many Thais filed complaints of foreigners overstaying their visas and committing crimes.
Along with strict law enforcement, the government will improve its electronic personal identification system and database. (TNA)
