19 Chinese were arrested after entering the country through natural passageways, all have received Covid-19 tests and are now in quarantine. Chiang Mai Immigration Police arrested the suspects in 2 private homes. The suspects admitted that they crossed into the country illegally. Public Health officials have tested the suspects for Covid-19 and placed them in quarantine. Immigration Officials and Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health Officials inspected 2 homes in Fa Ham Sub-district, Chiang Mai City on 8 October 2020. This inspection follows the government regulations to protect against crimes in accordance with the Immigration Act, B.E. 2522.
Police received information about a group of Chinese renting a home in a local village. They were reported to be living in large groups with suspicious behavior. Officials went to inspect the houses to make sure that nothing illegal was happening. Evidence was collected and submitted to the court for the issue of a search warrant. Officials went to inspect the homes and found 19 Chinese living inside. Out of the number, only 10 had passports and inside all passports already showed that they have previously left Thailand. The remaining 9 had no passports to confirm their identities.
All 19 suspects admit to police that they crossed into Thailand secretly through natural passageways. The suspects were arrested for illegally smuggling into the Nation without permission. This is a violation of Section 9 of the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situation, B.E. 2548. They have also violated Section 35 of the Communicable Diseases Act, B.E. 2558. Public Health Officials made sure to give all 19 suspects Covid-19 tests and are waiting for results. The suspects are now in quarantine to prevent the possible spread of Covid-19 to others.
