Nigerian man arrested in Phuket over unlawful entry
A 40-year-old Nigerian national was arrested in Kathu after allegedly fleeing passport checks and was charged with entering and residing in Thailand without permission.
Immigration officers arrested a 40-year-old Nigerian national in Kathu, Phuket, on 28 August after he allegedly tried to flee during a passport check, authorities said.
Pol Col Jaroenpong Khantilo, spokesperson for Immigration Division 6, said the operation was part of a nationwide crackdown ordered by senior immigration commanders against foreigners residing unlawfully in Thailand.
At about 3.15pm, officers conducting inspections spotted the man in a condominium car park. He ran when asked to show his passport but was detained shortly afterwards. Officers found a passport identifying him only as Mr Matthew, aged 40, with no Thai entry stamp. An immigration database check also found no record of his arrival, according to the authorities.
During questioning, Matthew admitted entering Thailand by boat through a natural border crossing from Laos, authorities said. He was charged under the Immigration Act with entering and residing in the kingdom without permission and handed over to Kathu Police Station for prosecution.
