The Fourth Army Region launched a raid on illegal foreign workers at a Phuket construction site, uncovering unauthorized employment that displaces Thai workers and uses materials favoring Chinese capital. They arrested 12 Chinese nationals and 62 Myanmar nationals and took them into custody for prosecution.
Today (18 June 2026) at 11:00 a.m., Lieutenant General Narathip Phoynok, Commander of the Fourth Army Region (also Director of Internal Security Operations Command Region 4), ordered military personnel from the Command for Controlling New Security Threats and Suppressing Complex Threats across the 14 southern provinces to join forces with relevant authorities in Phuket Province. They raided and searched a construction site in Village No. 9, Choeng Thale Subdistrict, Thalang District, Phuket Province, after receiving intelligence that illegal foreign workers had been employed there for a long time, displacing local Thai workers.
During the search, authorities arrested offenders including 12 Chinese nationals and 62 Myanmar nationals. Charges were filed for unauthorized employment under Section 8 and for illegal entry and residence in the kingdom. The arrests were documented and the detainees handed over to Choeng Thale Police Station for further legal action.
This operation followed complaints received by the Fourth Army Region's intelligence unit from local construction entrepreneurs reporting that Chinese groups had taken over construction contracts, unfairly deducting payments from Thai contractors and dismissing them to replace them with foreign workers affiliated with the Chinese group. Inspections also revealed many construction materials originating from China, suggesting collusion benefiting foreign investors.
During the arrests, some individuals attempted to negotiate and halt the operation, but authorities insisted on carrying out their duties as assigned. All information was promptly reported directly to the Commander of the Fourth Army Region upon completion of the mission.
