Phuket tourist police arrest 2 African men using AI in overstay crackdown

Phuket Tourist Police arrested two African men on May 8 after detecting them with AI face recognition technology during an immigration enforcement operation in Phuket. Police said the crackdown followed an inspection by Tourist Police Bureau Commissioner Lt. Gen. Saksira Phuekaam and targeted foreigners violating Thai immigration law.

The two arrests involved a 24-year-old Nigerian man accused of overstaying by 877 days and a 34-year-old man from Côte d’Ivoire accused of overstaying by 739 days. Officials said both were identified through a mobile surveillance system tied to a central database of foreign nationals.

Mobile AI Camera used in real-time checks

Investigators from Division 2 of Tourist Police Region 3 deployed the technology through a mobile surveillance unit called the Mobile AI Camera, the Phuket Tourist Police told the Phuket Express.

Police said the AI face recognition system allows real-time detection of suspected visa overstayers in the field, speeding up identification and interception during patrols.

Officials said visa overstay is a serious offense under Thai law and can lead to arrest, prosecution and deportation.

The Tourist Police Bureau said similar technology-driven patrols will continue in major tourist zones as part of wider efforts to deter illegal activity and maintain order.

Source: https://thephuketexpress.com/2026/05/08/two-african-men-arrested-using-new-ai-technology-in-phuket-for-two-years-of-overstay/