Thailand detains foreigners suspected of crime

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) – The Thai government has launched a crackdown on foreigners suspected of various crimes, media reports said on Friday.

More than 500 foreigners were arrested on Friday for overstaying their visa, entering the country using illegal means and other crimes, Thai police told journalists, according to the daily The Nation.

The police launched search operations at 217 locations of the popular tourist destination.

“It was part of the government’s crackdown on transnational scammers, card skimmers and drug traffickers, as well as foreigners breaking immigration laws,” said Maj. Gen. Itthipol Itthisarnronnachai of the Thai Immigration department.

Thai police raided schools, private firms and shops, six service establishments, hotels and hostels to nab the culprits, the official said.

The detained foreigners besides others included citizens of Iran, Laos, Russia, U.S., India, China and Mongolia.

“Forty-three separate operations in the clampdown, including today’s, had resulted in the arrest of 6,971 foreigners,” the official said.

Thailand has been ruled by a military junta since 2014 with elections delayed four times since the army overthrew the civilian government.