Latest news with #ImmigrationBureau
Bangkok Post
5 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Chinese fugitive, Korean drug agent arrested in Pattaya
Immigration police have arrested two foreign men in separate criminal cases in the beach town of Pattaya in Chon Buri province. The Immigration Bureau on Thursday announced the arrest of two foreign nationals — a Chinese fugitive and a South Korean drug suspect — during a press briefing. In the first case, officers from the Chon Buri Immigration Office raided a house in tambon Huai Yai, Bang Lamung district, and apprehended 39-year-old Chinese national Sun Jiangdong. Mr Sun was wanted under an international arrest warrant for drug trafficking and the illegal distribution of electronic cigarettes. Upon arrival, officers said he attempted to flee by climbing onto the roof but was quickly captured. Authorities also discovered that Mr Sun had overstayed his visa by more than 15 days. He has since been charged under Thai immigration law and is awaiting deportation. In a separate case, a joint team of immigration officers and officials from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) arrested 60-year-old South Korean national Sung Kim at an apartment on Soi Sukhumvit Pattaya 71 in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung. Mr Kim was the subject of an Interpol red notice for allegedly masterminding an attempt to smuggle crystal methamphetamine into South Korea. Investigators said he had directed accomplices to hide 180 grammes of the drug in a food container, which was placed on a flight from Thailand to Incheon International Airport. The attempt was foiled before the drugs reached their destination. Had the smuggling been successful, the drugs could have fetched up to 18 million won on the street, according to officials. Investigators also found that Mr Kim had overstayed his visa by more than two years. Both suspects face charges under Thai law and are being processed for deportation to their respective countries. Their arrests followed a crackdown on foreign criminals in Pattaya, ordered by Immigration Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Panumas Boonyaluk and senior officials.
Bangkok Post
09-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
German arrested on Koh Phangan for investment fraud targeting Australians
SURAT THANI - A 54-year-old German has been arrested on Koh Phangan for allegedy orchestrating a fraudulent investment scheme targeting investors in Australia. Officers from Provincial Police Region 8, the Immigration Bureau, Surat Thani and Pathum Thani, accompanied by Australian Federal Police, searched four locations on the popular tourist island. They took David Guy Hamburger, 54, a German suspect, into custody. Mr Hamburger was apprehended while riding a motorcycle near his residence, Choco Villa on Koh Phangan, Pol Lt Gen Surapong Thanomjit, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 8, said on Wednesday. Police executed an arrest warrant approved by Pathum Thani Provincial Court on June 19 on charges of public fraud and putting false information into a computer system. The arresting team took the suspect back to his house and searched it. The officers seized assets worth more than 19 million baht, believed to have been acquired through fraudulent activities. Items impounded included a cryptocurrency account valued at 8.04 million baht, four bank accounts containing 6.23 million baht, 495,000 baht in cash, a land title deed worth 1.5 million baht, four vehicles worth 2.27 million baht, 13 luxury watches valued at 605,000 baht and two laptop computers. Upon inspecting the laptops, police found scripted dialogue used to dupe investors in Australia into making fake stock investments, and detailed records of victims. Police also searched three other premises linked to nominee companies allegedly established by the suspect. They were a law office on Koh Phangan, the Montana Realty real estate office, also on Koh Phangan, and a residence on Koh Samui in the name of his Thai wife. Police also summonsed individuals suspected of being part of Mr Hamburger's network for questioning. They are suspected of helping set up four nominee companies - Chesapeake Ross Co, Montana Realty Co, Laguna Cliff Co and Gollum Co. Pol Lt Gen Surapong said the action followed advice from Australian authorities that many people Australia had been conned by online investment scam operated from Thailand. Investigators took up the case, and located and identified the prime suspect, Mr Hamburger. They obtained approval from Koh Samui Provincial Court to search the suspect locations, which led to the arrest of the German suspect, Pol Lt Gen Surapong. Mr Hamburger had been residing on Koh Phangan for over five years on a retirement visa. He had run several businesses, including a villa rental company, a construction firm and a restaurant. He was handed over to Muang police station in Pathum Thani province for legal processing on the fraud charges. Surat Thani police would bring additional charges against him under the Foreign Business Act, Pol Lt Gen Surapong said.
Bangkok Post
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Bangkok Post
How can foreigners get a driver's licence in Thailand?
Foreign nationals residing or working in Thailand can legally obtain a driver's licence, depending on their visa and the type of licence they require. There are two main options available: 1. Use an International Driving Permit (IDP) Foreigners holding an International Driving Permit (IDP) can legally drive in Thailand as long as they carry it with their valid driver's licence from their home country. 2. Apply for a Thai Driving Licence This option is ideal for those staying long-term in Thailand on a work visa or with permanent residence. The requirements: 2.1 Minimum age: 18 years old. 2.2 Must be in good physical condition (eg, not colour blind, not hearing impaired). Required Documents: Passport with a valid Non-Immigrant Visa issued no more than one year prior to the application date and not expired. Certificate of Residence in Thailand, issued by the Immigration Bureau or your home country's embassy. Medical certificate no more than a month old confirming no serious illnesses affecting driving; available from most hospitals or clinics. Two passport-sized photos, no spectacles or hat, some transport department offices offer on-site photo services. How to apply: Foreign applicants can download the DLT Smart Queue mobile application to register and select the Foreigner option to begin the process. If you already hold a valid driving licence from another country, you may be eligible for test exemptions, such as skipping the written exam or driving test — depending on the country of origin and document verification.
Bangkok Post
02-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Chinese investment fraudster arrested hiding in Bangkok
A 53-year-old Chinese woman accused of running a fraudulent investment company in China, stealing about 500 million baht from her victims, has been arrested in Bangkok. The Immigration Bureau announced the businesswoman's arrest on Wednesday. Pol Maj Gen Phanthana Nutchanart, deputy immigration chief, said police had received information that a house on Soi Sirithavorn, off Rama 9 Road in Suan Luang district of Bangkok, was housing Chinese nationals involved in illegal activities. Investigators compiled a case and obtained a search warrant from Phrakanong Criminal Court. They found six foreign nationals staying at the house. One of them was a 53-year-old Chinese woman identified only as Ms Hong. She failed to present a passport when asked. Immigration records showed she had overstayed her visa by 337 days. She was charged with overstaying and handed over to the bureau's investigation unit for legal proceedings. The five other foreigners were all legal, Pol Maj Gen Phanthana said. Investigators learned from the Chinese embassy that Ms Hong was a businesswoman who had co-founded a company in China that ran a fraudulent investment platform. The firm falsely portrayed itself as a global investment firm involved in internet-based services and mobile app development and organising high-end social events. The scheme lured many investors with its promise of lucrative returns. Participants were required to pay from 7,000 to 100,000 yuan (31,600 to 450,000 baht) in membership fees to participate. The company assigned roles, conducted training and collected membership fees, all under false pretences. Investigators said investor losses totalled around 100 million yuan, about 500 million baht. Ms Hong remains in custody, pending deportation.
Japan Forward
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
Immigration in Japan: Accepting Foreigners to Secure a Workforce
このページを 日本語 で読む What is immigration, and what does it mean to be an immigrant? In her book, Is Japan Unwelcoming to Refugees? (Keio University Press, 2024), author Fusako Yanase begins with a central question. That is, "How can people of different nationalities, languages, cultures, skin tones, and eye colors work together? How can we build a prosperous life in the same society?" She explores how we might see not only Japanese citizens, but also foreign workers, international students, and even refugees as equal participants in a shared social fabric. In this second installment of a series, she turns her focus to the special residency statuses that allow foreign nationals to work in Japan. Specifically, those are the Specified Skilled Worker, Technical Intern Training, and forthcoming Employment for Skill Development programs. Second in the series. Read the series, Immigration in Japan According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, as of October 2024, Japan employed 2,302,587 foreign workers. That represented an increase of 250,000 from 2023. The number of businesses hiring foreign labor also rose by 20,000, reaching a total of 340,000. By nationality, Vietnamese workers made up the largest share at 570,000 (24.8%). Chinese workers ranked second with 400,000 (17.8%), followed by Filipinos with 240,000 (10.7%). In April 2019, Japan upgraded its Immigration Bureau, formerly a division within the Ministry of Justice, into the Immigration Services Agency. This marked a significant policy shift toward welcoming more foreign workers. At the same time, it introduced a new visa category, the Specified Skilled Worker, which has now been in place for five years. To foster better integration between foreign workers and local communities, the government launched a range of support initiatives. These include improvements to living and working conditions, Japanese language education, and other essential services. From FY2022 to FY2026, the government reviews and refines these measures annually as part of a long-term strategy to build a more inclusive and cohesive society. Japan's Immigration Control Act currently defines 28 residency statuses. They cover everything from short-term stays such as tourism to international students, technical intern trainees, and spouses of Japanese nationals. Work-related categories for specialized and technical professions are also included. In 2019, a 29th category — Specified Skilled Worker — was introduced as part of a broader government policy. This new status applies to 16 designated industries, including nursing care, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and food processing. The Specified Skilled Worker visa was introduced to address labor shortages. It still requires applicants to demonstrate a certain level of expertise or technical skill through academic or work credentials. However, the requirements for Japanese language proficiency and job-specific knowledge have been somewhat relaxed. In exchange, visa holders are entitled to a range of structured support measures. These are often referred to as "targeted support." They include orientation sessions on daily life in Japan, assistance with learning Japanese, help with complaints or consultations, and programs that encourage interaction between foreign residents and local communities. Workers are also allowed to change jobs within the same industry and can access services at Hello Work, Japan's network of public employment offices. The system is designed to prevent foreign workers from being left isolated or unsupported. Above all, helping them acquire a basic level of Japanese is considered essential for their success and integration. Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau Officials introduced the Technical Intern Training program to support developing countries through skill and knowledge transfer. It was aimed at transferring skills and knowledge to workers from developing countries. Today, approximately 410,000 foreign nationals reside in Japan under this system. However, many domestic employers have used it primarily to fill labor shortages with low-cost labor. As a result, many foreign workers face harassment, unpaid wages, and poor working conditions. In March 2024, in response to these persistent problems, the government announced a complete overhaul of the program. The new framework shifts away from the original goal of foreign aid and instead focuses on training and securing foreign talent to support Japan's own industrial development. Set to launch by 2027, the revised system will be renamed Employment for Skill Development. Under the new program, foreign workers will undergo a three-year training period aimed at achieving the skill level required for a Specified Skilled Worker (i) visa. This represents a significant policy pivot from international development assistance to domestic workforce strategy. To ensure a smooth transition, the current technical intern system will continue to operate for roughly three years after the launch of Employment for Skill Development. During this period, both systems will run in parallel, giving employers and workers time to adjust. Authorities aim to complete the full transition by 2030. Beyond visa-specific reforms, the Japanese government has introduced a broad set of measures to support the integration of foreign residents and strengthen the systems that serve them. These initiatives cover all legal foreign residents in Japan, not just Specified Skilled Workers, whether they are studying, working, or in training. Fusako Yanase (right) with JAPAN Forward Editor-in-Chief, Yasuo Naito (©JAPAN Forward) Funded by the national government and implemented in cooperation with local authorities, these policies aim to promote coexistence and provide practical support across various aspects of daily life. It is important to note, however, that these support measures are not available to individuals residing in Japan without legal status. Continues in Part 3: What to Know About Entry Limits Author: Fusako Yanase In addition to being an expert on immigration, Yanase is an award-winning author and former Honorary Chair of the Certified NPO Association for Aid and Relief, Japan . このページを 日本語 で読む
