Thailand launches nationwide operation targeting 10,000 visa overstayers

 Knock on the door coming for 10k visa overstayers now in Thailand as police launch new crackdown

Thailand launches a nationwide hunt for over 10,000 visa overstayers as police arrest fraud suspects and fugitives. An Israeli is nabbed after 2,095 days illegally in Thailand. Meanwhile, drug raids seized 17.8 million meth tablets and tonnes of ice.

Thailand’s police have launched a nationwide dragnet for more than 10,000 visa overstayers as immigration chief Lieutenant General Nopasin Poolsawat orders officers to hunt down foreigners illegally resident for years. Raids have already netted South Korean fraud suspects, Chinese gang organisers and an Israeli who overstayed 2,095 days. Meanwhile, over 81,000 foreigners have been refused entry since October 2025. The crackdown comes alongside a massive drugs offensive led by police chief General Samran Nuanma. Officers have seized over 17.8 million methamphetamine tablets, 2.3 tonnes of crystal meth and assets exceeding ฿550 million. Drug financiers and international criminal networks are now firmly in police sights as Thailand’s big clean up proceeds.

Thailand’s police have launched a major nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking, international criminal gangs and immigration offenders. More than 10,000 foreigners with expired visas are now being targeted.

National Police Commissioner General Samran Nuanma and Immigration Bureau chief Police Lieutenant General Nopasin Poolsawat are directing the offensive. Meanwhile, police have seized millions of methamphetamine tablets and tonnes of crystal methamphetamine.

International fraud suspects and foreigners illegally resident for years have also been arrested. The operation extends from Bangkok to tourist islands, commercial centres and border provinces.

Police widen nationwide hunt for 10,000 visa overstayers as drug and international crime raids intensify

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Thaiexaminer

#Thailand - Nearly 100 Koh Samui Hotels Up for Sale Due to Lockdown

Nearly 100 hotels on the tourism island of Koh Samui are for sale due to the negative impacts of the Covid-19 corona-virus lockdown. Tourism on Koh Samui died after the government ordered hotels shuttered on April 7th to control the disease.

Worasit Pongkampan, president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, said owners of nearly 100 local hotels announced plans put their hotels for sale. Above all because they lacked cash flow and banks won’t lend to them.

According to Worasit, their financial problems started late last year and picked up in January. The COVID-19 crisis struck them in February. Some hotel owner have been unable to collect overdue payments from big tour agencies for months.

Furthermore, during the temporary closure of their hotels, owners had no revenue but have to pay salaries and other costs.

Due to the circumstance its difficult for them to seek soft loans from banks to maintain their liquidity. Mr. Worasit said he would like the government to immediately help the hotel owners with soft loans. Above all before it is too late because hoteliers are in deep financial troubles.
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The impacts happen not only on Koh Samui but also nationwide,” Mr Worasit said.
Government of Thailand Promises Transparency in $58B Stimulus Package

After administration officials promised transparency, the Thai Government unanimously passed a U.S. $58 billion (1.8 trillion baht) stimulus package. The stimulus package is designed to resuscitate an economy expected to contract for the first time since 2009. Above all because of ripple effects from the corona-virus pandemic.

Except for a few abstentions, the 250-seat chamber voted in favor of the government’s counter-COVID-19 decree. It will be presented to the Constitutional Court before being passed on to the king for his approval. The action followed the Central Bank’s earlier prediction that the economy of Thailand could shrink by 5.3 percent this year.

After the lower house approved the packages the Senate spent two days debating. Furthermore seeking confirmation from Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha’s administration that there would be transparency in the spending process.

Source - Chiang Rai Times