AI camera leads Phuket police to two long-term visa overstayers

Tourist police in Phuket arrested two African men in Kathu district on May 8 after an AI facial recognition system flagged them for allegedly overstaying their visas by more than two years. Police said the arrests came during a crackdown targeting foreigners suspected of immigration offences and other illegal activity in major tourist areas.

Two men accused of overstaying by 877 and 739 days

Police identified the first suspect as Clinton Ubasinachi Ekechukwu, a 24-year-old Nigerian national. He had entered Thailand under the 60-day visa exemption scheme and was accused of overstaying by 877 days.

The second suspect was named as Ousmane Kone, a 34-year-old Ivorian national. Police said he also entered under the 60-day visa exemption scheme and had allegedly remained in the country for 739 days beyond his permitted stay.

Both men were charged with being foreign nationals remaining in Thailand after their permission to stay had expired. Officers took them to Kathu Police Station for legal proceedings and deportation procedures.

Smart patrol vehicle linked to central immigration database

Tourist police said officers were using a Mobile AI Camera system installed in a smart patrol vehicle to screen people in Kathu. The equipment is linked to a central database of foreign nationals whose permission to stay in Thailand has expired.

According to police, the system alerted officers in real time to the two men wanted for overstay offences. Officials said the facial recognition tool is intended to improve immigration checks in busy areas.

The operation followed orders to intensify checks on overstayers and suspicious individuals in Phuket. Police said the wider enforcement drive was launched under instructions to step up scrutiny of immigration offenders and other unlawful activity.

Source: https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/ai-camera-catches-nigerian-ivorian-men-overstaying-phuket