THE Immigration Bureau has beefed up screening and controls of visa-free entry by Cambodians and high-risk Westerners amid fears that they may be “mercenaries” entering Thailand to carry out operations behind battlelines with foreign tourists urged to understand this situation, Amarin TV said this afternoon (Dec. 15).
This measure was taken after critics and academics voiced concern on social media that foreign mercenaries may be entering Thailand to carry out operations threatening national security and undermining Thai armed forces in various ways.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Cherngron Rimphadee, deputy commissioner of the Immigration Bureau and spokesperson, said National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kitrat Phanphet and this bureau’s chief Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumas Boonyalak were concerned about this issue ever since violent clashes between Thailand and Cambodia restarted, while commercial flights between the two countries are still continuing as normal.
This includes the possibility of foreign militant groups entering the country via visa-free privilege to carry out operations that threaten national security behind the frontline, both within Thailand and by illegally crossing the border to Cambodia plus spying or engaging in other activities.
The focus is on two groups of foreigners using visa-free privilege to come into Thailand:
– Mercenary groups from Eastern Europe and Northern Asia.
– Cambodian nationals flying into Thailand. Given the escalating conflict and clashes between the two countries, their arrival appears unusual for tourism. Those with legitimate business in Thailand are required to obtain proper visas from the Thai embassy for prior screening.
Altogether 185 individuals were denied entry since fighting broke out early December till Saturday Dec. 13.
The Immigration Bureau is also coordinating with security intelligence agencies to obtain additional information on the movements of foreign mercenaries to more clearly focus on prohibited groups without affecting other foreign tourists visiting Thailand, especially during peak tourist season when 75,000 to 80,000 holidaymakers enter the country daily, and immigration officers at checkpoints have no more than 45 seconds to check passports per person.
Meanwhile in Pol. Maj. Gen. Narongsak Phromtha, commander of Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Police, said after attending a special meeting on the fighting at the border that widely shared news about the sighting of suspicious foreigners and individuals within the province was actually part of a preventative public awareness campaign stemming from the authorities’ concern about the tense situation along the Thai-Cambodian border.
He confirmed that so far, no suspicious behaviour or threats to national security have been detected.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Narongsak added that during this period, the provincial police had set up checkpoints at high-risk areas and accommodations such as hotels, resorts and guesthouses to screen and identify suspicious individuals or objects that could affect national security.
The operation has been successful and robust, and to date, no suspicious individuals or objects have been found.
Moreover the flying of drones too is prohibited during this special situation and to date no threat to national security has been detected.
Nakhon Ratchasima is a major tourist destination receiving nearly 9 million tourists annually and regular checks on foreigners are already being conducted but these have been intensified but no irregularities have been found so far.
CAPTIONS:
Top – Travellers arriving in Thailand.
Front Page – Immigration Police are now being more vigilant.
Insert – Pol. Maj. Gen. Narongsak Phromtha. All photos – Amarin TV
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