Surat Thani –
Surat Thani’s provincial authorities have unveiled the results of a sweeping crackdown on foreign nationals violating Thai laws, with more than 2,600 cases recorded over the past seven months, led by Myanmar, Russia, France, Israel, and the UK.
On May 10th, Governor Jumphote Wannachatsiri, joined by three deputy governors and senior officials from military, police, and security agencies, chaired a meeting at the provincial hall to review enforcement efforts. The special task force, established on April 27th, 2026, has focused particularly on Koh Phangan, a popular tourist destination, where investigations have targeted land ownership, business operations, and nominee arrangements used to circumvent legal restrictions.
Between October 1st, 2025, and April 30th, 2026, police and related agencies pursued cases involving:
- Illegal entry and residence without authorization: 122 cases
- Overstaying visas: 65 cases
- Working without permits: 199 cases
- Concealment or assistance of offenders: 5 cases
- Narcotics: 273 cases
- Gambling: 26 cases
- Traffic law violations: 1,757 cases
- Nominee shareholding: 20 cases
In total, 2,603 cases were recorded.
The majority of offenders were from Myanmar (1,103 individuals), followed by Russia (316), France (155), Israel (179), the United Kingdom (143), Germany (116), Laos (87), China (49), Cambodia (37), India (8), and other nationalities (410).
Governor Jumphote stated that enforcement remains ongoing, with authorities working to safeguard public order and reinforce confidence in Surat Thani’s tourism industry. He instructed district chiefs and relevant agencies to consider suspending or shutting down businesses already prosecuted until they undergo proper legal review and approval.
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