Immigration, Locals Meet to Tackle Foreign Worker Issues in Pai

Immigration
Mae Hong Son Immigration conducts inspections at Pai entertainment venues.

MAE HONG SON — The Mae Hong Son Immigration Office held a crucial meeting with local business representatives and residents of Pai district to address concerns about unauthorized foreign workers in the area. The meeting came in response to a formal complaint filed by local business owners on January 9 regarding illegal foreign employment in the district.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Wichai Panna, the Immigration Inspector of Mae Hong Son Province, led the discussion on January 17, at the Pai district immigration office. The meeting established several key initiatives to address the community’s concerns:

The immigration office announced new reporting channels for residents to submit evidence of suspected illegal employment activities. These channels include a dedicated complaint box and a special LINE group. Residents can submit photographic or video evidence directly to the immigration office.

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The Mae Hong Son Immigration Office holds a crucial meeting with local business representatives and residents of Pai district on January 17, 2025.

To better inform tourists of local regulations, the immigration office will install “Do’s and Don’ts” signs throughout Pai district and at their office. These signs will outline acceptable behavior for tourists and highlight prohibited activities.

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The Tourism Association revealed significant visitor statistics during the meeting, reporting that Pai district received 1.5 million foreign tourists in 2024, with Israeli tourists accounting for over 50% of visitors (more than 750,000 people).

However, the meeting also revealed tensions between different stakeholder groups. While the Tourism Association emphasized protecting tourism revenue, local residents expressed concerns about the quality of tourism over quantity, arguing that certain tourism activities benefit business operators more than local residents while causing significant disruption to the community.

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The Mae Hong Son Immigration Office

Residents also raised concerns about a recently constructed Israeli synagogue behind the Pai Police Station. While the structure was reportedly built legally, locals expressed dissatisfaction about the lack of public consultation and cited issues with noise disturbance and traffic congestion.

The immigration office acknowledged that some issues extend beyond their jurisdiction and will require coordination with other government agencies. They committed to escalating these concerns to senior provincial officials and organizing a broader public forum to address the community’s concerns comprehensively.

Local representatives emphasized their desire for government officials to prioritize community peace and order over purely economic considerations. The immigration office assured that while solutions may take time, they are committed to addressing these concerns through proper channels and in cooperation with other relevant agencies.

Residents can now report suspected cases of illegal employment by foreign nationals (excluding those from Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam) directly to the Pai Immigration Office with supporting evidence. The date and location for the upcoming public forum will be announced soon, with officials encouraging broad participation from all community sectors to drive meaningful change.

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