AI face recognition in Phuket leads to arrests over long visa overstays

Tourist Police in Phuket arrested a Nigerian man and an Ivorian man on May 12, 2026 after AI face recognition identified them as long-term visa overstayers, officials said. The operation in Kathu used a mobile AI camera system linked to a central database and was carried out under a nationwide crackdown on transnational crime and immigration violations.

Mr Clinton Ubasinachi Ekechukwu, 24, a Nigerian national, was found to have overstayed by 877 days. Mr Ousmane Kone, 34, an Ivorian national, had overstayed by 739 days.

Charges filed after database match in Kathu

Both men were charged with being aliens residing in the Kingdom after their permission to stay had expired, police said.

They were taken into custody and handed to investigators at Kathu Police Station for legal proceedings and eventual deportation.

The operation was directed by Tourist Police Commander Pol Lt Gen Saksira Puek-am. Police said the system is designed to identify prohibited individuals in real time in targeted areas.

Authorities said the technology supports closer monitoring in key locations and will continue to be used to track immigration offenders. The two arrests were presented as part of efforts to prevent Thailand from being used as a hideout for illegal foreigners.

Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYOXNU-H2Ty/