KHON KAEN: Immigration authorities have arrested nearly 500 foreigners for various offences as part of a crackdown in 20 provinces in the Northeast during the past five days.
Provincial immigration officers, led by Pol Maj Gen Natthawat Karndee, chief of Immigration Division 4, announced the arrests on Wednesday.
He said authorities have stepped up measures to prevent foreigners entering the country illegally and who may cause trouble ahead of His Majesty the King's coronation ceremony.
Of the 478 arrested, 335 entered the country illegally, nine overstayed their visas, 16 were working without permission, 116 had committed other offences, and two were wanted on arrest warrants. A Toyota Vigo pickup truck with a Khon Kaen licence plate was also seized.
Pol Maj Gen Natthawat also said 86 foreigners suspected of posing security risks had been denied entry into the country at immigration checkpoints in Khon Kaen.
Immigration officers also apprehended a 27-year-old Cameroonian man identified as Yemnai Darius who worked as a foreign language teacher in Kalasin. He was charged with using falsified visa stamps.
