Bangkok raid nets illegal workers, Bt12m in contraband
More than 50 policemen and customs officials raided Sua Pa Plaza in Bangkok’s Pom Prab district early Sunday in response to a tip-off that illegal immigrants were working there amid possible violations of laws protecting intellectual property rights.
The raid uncovered 22 allegedly illegal immigrants – seven Chinese, 12 Cambodians, two Myanmar nationals and one person described as stateless.
Immigration Bureau acting chief Pol Maj General Surachate Hakparn led the raid, which also uncovered 60,000 smuggled or contraband phones and accessories together worth more than Bt12 million.
“Another suspect, Ekawit Lakpetch, is a Thai, and he has identified himself as the owner of one of the shops,” Surachate said.
He said Ekawit’s shop was full of items violating laws on trademark, customs and other areas.
Ekawit and Zheng Yihong, a Chinese national found working at the shop, face at least six charges, he said. Since violations of intellectual property rights are also crimes under anti-money laundering statutes, their assets could also be seized.
Illegal workers found working at 17 other shops at Sua Pa Plaza face charges of working without permits and their employers will be summoned to face charges too.