AI cameras lead to arrests in Phuket wanted-person and overstay cases
The arrests were announced on Friday (May 8) as tourist police intensified operations targeting illegal foreign nationals in Phuket’s main tourism areas.
Tourist police on Friday, May 8, announced arrests in Phuket after AI cameras flagged a wanted suspect and two foreigners accused of long visa overstays during intensified operations in main tourism areas. One alert came at 10:57am from an AI CCTV camera linked to the Crime Suppression Division’s wanted-person database, while a separate screening in Kathu used mobile facial-recognition equipment.
Court warrant arrest tied to business and forgery allegations
Police said officers checked the first alert, confirmed the suspect’s identity and carried out an arrest under a warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court.
The suspect is accused of assisting, supporting or participating in business activities restricted under Thailand’s Foreign Business Act by allegedly acting as a nominee shareholder for foreign interests. The case also includes charges of forgery and using forged official documents.
After the arrest, officers took the suspect to Phuket Provincial Court for further legal proceedings.
Mobile AI screening in Kathu finds two long-term overstayers
In the second operation, Tourist Police Bureau Division 2 officers used mobile AI facial-recognition cameras to screen suspicious individuals in Kathu.
That operation led to the arrest of two African nationals, police said. They were identified as a 24-year-old Nigerian man accused of overstaying by 877 days and a 34-year-old Ivorian man accused of overstaying by 739 days.
According to Tourist Police, the AI system is connected to a central immigration database that can identify foreigners who have exceeded their permitted stay in Thailand in real time.
Both men were charged with remaining in the Kingdom after their permission to stay had expired before being handed over to investigators at Kathu Police Station for legal action and deportation proceedings.
Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/ai-cameras-land-more-arrests-100183.php
