As part of the "White Accommodation for Foreigners" project, Phuket is launching a comprehensive clean-up operation to increase the scrutiny of foreigners who break the law.
This move aims to bolster confidence and increase the safety potential of Phuket as a tourist destination. This activity is part of the regular May 2023 programme.
On May 26th, at 15:00, the Phuket Province initiated the operation at the Provincial Hall. Over 65 officials were involved in the operation to enhance confidence and increase Phuket's potential as a safe tourist city, following the "White Accommodation (ที่พักสีขาว) for Foreigners" programme for May 2023. The event was presided over by the governor of Phuket, Mr. Narong Woonciew.
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Colonel Thanes Sukchay, the Phuket Provincial Police Commander, and the Secretary of the White Accommodation for Foreigners project in Phuket, reported that today's operation involved 65 personnel from various units, including the Phuket Provincial Police, Tourist Police Division 3, the Administration division, the Immigration Bureau, and the Phuket Provincial Employment Office.
The White Accommodation for Foreigners project is led by the governor of Phuket and collaborates with all sectors to search for cooperation from homeowners in Phuket to monitor foreigners and prevent lawbreakers from living in their properties, thus preventing foreigners from using the area for illegal activities. The operation is carried out monthly.
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General Damrongsak Kittiprapas, the National Police Chief, inspected safety measures for foreign tourists at the Phuket Immigration Office and gave directions to Phuket to serve as a model for the country in implementing the White Accommodation for Foreigners project.
The project is seen as a means of controlling and checking the safety of foreigners living in Phuket in terms of crime, drug abuse, and illegal activities, by seeking cooperation from accommodation providers in monitoring and checking the behaviour of foreigners who may be behaving inappropriately, breaking the law, causing danger, disturbing peace, and jeopardising the safety of life and property of citizens or tourists. They might even be international criminals using Thailand as a base for illegal activities.
Currently, over 800 accommodation providers have joined the project, with another 2,000 plus set to join, covering about 3,000 properties across the island. Previous operations have succeeded in apprehending foreigners who have broken the law, causing disturbance and unresolved cases, providing a clear benefit to the country.
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However, foreigners who have committed minor offenses and whose actions disrupt community peace will receive a yellow card (warning) for their first offense.
The accommodation provider will be invited to record a warning, and a letter will be sent to the consulate of each country, granting the right to stay in the kingdom as appropriate to the behaviour.
For repeated offenses or offenses that pose a clear danger to society, a red card will be issued (revoking the right to stay in the kingdom), and procedures to deport will be initiated.
This move is designed to boost confidence for citizens and tourists alike and to raise the profile of Phuket as a safe tourist city for people around the world.
77kaoded contributed to this report
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