Phuket’s new ‘red’ and ‘yellow’ card system has resulted in warnings, arrests and deportations for several foreigners in Phuket already. The system, launched earlier this month, appears to been implemented, without details or much of a public warning.
Police say the red and yellow card warnings are aimed at reducing crime and illegal activity committed by foreigners in Phuket.
The new system has been initiated in Phuket under the banner of the local immigration office, but has not, as yet, been introduced in other tourists zones around Thailand.
The system awards a ‘yellow’ or ‘red’ card warning for various offences with no avenue for protest or appeal.
Of the four foreigners who received ‘yellow’ card warnings, 2 were French citizens, 1 Ukrainian and the other was Swedish. If any of the receivers of a yellow card receive a second warning, they may face deportation.
More seriously, 2 foreigners have been arrested and received ‘red cards,’ resulting in their immediate deportation. One was Swedish and the other French.
The police report categorises offences into four groups…
• Group 1 – offences relating to body and life
• Group 2 – offences relating to property
• Group 3 – special cases
• Group 4 – cases in which the state is the victim.
Five other foreigners were found to have committed Group 4 offences, which refer to “offences against the state”.
Five foreigners were also found to have breached immigration laws by failing to register their place of residence, as required by Section 38 of the Immigration Act. The hotels, guesthouses or places of accommodation are required to register where foreign guests are staying. But the Immigration department often blames the foreigner instead of the accommodation provider.
SOURCE: The Phuket News
