Phuket –
Phuket immigration officers staged a tense pursuit on August 28th, 2026, leading to the arrest of a 40‑year‑old Nigerian national who had illegally entered Thailand.
According to Pol. Col. Jaroenpong Khantilo, spokesperson for Immigration Division 6, the operation was part of a nationwide crackdown ordered by senior immigration commanders to target foreigners residing unlawfully in the country.
At approximately 3:15 p.m., officers conducting inspections in Kathu spotted a suspicious man in the parking area of a condominium. When asked to present his passport, the suspect attempted to flee. Officers chased him down and detained him shortly afterward. A search of his vehicle revealed a passport identifying him only as Mr. Matthew, aged 40, but with no entry stamp into Thailand.
Further checks in the immigration database confirmed there was no record of his arrival. During questioning, Matthew admitted he had slipped into the kingdom via a natural border crossing from Laos by boat.
Authorities charged him with “entering and residing in the kingdom without permission” under the Immigration Act. He was handed over to Kathu Police Station for prosecution.
