PATTAYA — Tourist police in Pattaya have arrested 25 foreign nationals working illegally at pool villa construction sites. The operation follows orders from Police Colonel Man Rotthong to monitor foreign activities, particularly Chinese investors developing villa rental properties that operate as illegal hotels in the Pattaya area.
Acting on a tip-off about approximately 40 Chinese and Myanmar workers at pool villa construction sites, tourist police officers conducted inspections at four locations with around 20 buildings under construction in Huay Yai subdistrict, Bang Lamung district on March 11. The raid revealed several foreign men supervising Myanmar workers.
The operation resulted in the arrest of nine Chinese nationals and 16 Myanmar workers who were unable to produce proper documentation. All were detained and charged with being foreigners temporarily permitted to stay in the kingdom while engaging in unauthorized employment and working without proper work permits.
The arrests come under the directive of Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phueak-am, commander of the Tourist Police, who ordered increased scrutiny of illegal immigrants, foreign criminal gangs operating illegal businesses, and transnational crime.
Authorities note a surge in foreign investors entering Thailand’s business sectors without following legal procedures, spanning industries from cheap merchandise and restaurants to transportation, construction contracting, and real estate.
According to data from the AREA real estate research center, Chonburi province shows the second highest growth in the housing market after Bangkok, due to its status as a major province in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). As of 2024, the market is valued at approximately 4.72 billion US dollars.
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