Mueang District: February 11, 2026: More than two dozen undocumented foreign workers were detained during a government-led immigration sweep at a local fresh market in central Mueang district of Prachuap Khiri Khan, authorities confirmed Saturday.
The early-morning sting operation, conducted jointly by officials from the provincial labor office, immigration police, and soldiers from Royal Thai Army Region 15, targeted vendors at the market behind the government complex. According to officers cited by local Thai media (see below), 29 illegal “foreign nationals” were arrested for working without the proper permits or documentation.
While the nationalities of those detained were not specified in the official report, TriCove.Asia speculates that they were most likely migrants from neighboring country/countries; the majority of Prachuap’s migrant labor force—both registered and unregistered—is known to consist predominantly of Burmese (Myanmar) nationals.
The province is home to a growing population of foreign workers, particularly in the agriculture, fisheries, and informal sectors. According to official census data cited by TriCove.Asia, more than 22,000 registered foreign residents live in Prachuap Khiri Khan. The number of undocumented residents, however, is widely believed to be significantly higher, with enforcement efforts ramping up over the past year across the country.
This latest raid follows a broader national trend. Thai authorities have intensified crackdowns on both unauthorized workers and foreign-owned businesses operating illegally in protected sectors. A 2024 campaign saw numerous arrests and business closures under the Foreign Business Act, which prohibits foreigners from operating in certain categories reserved for Thai nationals.
- Related TriCove.Asia News: nationwide crackdown on illegal foreign businesses
Last month, the Thai Enquirer reported on the latest crackdown on foreign controlled ‘nominee’ companies in Thailand, which made headlines at the same time that another Thailand legal entity issued a warning to foreigners considering making illegal investments in property.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Labor has reiterated that employers who hire unregistered foreign workers may face steep fines and legal penalties. Workers found to be in violation of immigration or labor laws are subject to deportation and blacklisting under current policy.
For the original news report on the latest crackdown (Thai language), visit:
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Author: TriCove.Asia
TriCove.Asia Administrator.