Police, soldiers and labor officials raided the construction site for Pattaya’s Terminal 21 shopping mall after claims some of the 1,000 laborers on site were employed illegally.
Banglamung District Chief Naris Niramaiwong joined top Pattaya, Immigration and Tourist police in the March 23 operation in North Pattaya, along with officials from the Chonburi Labor Department.
Workers scattered when authorities showed up, with many trying to hide on higher floors of the boutique mall under construction near city hall. About 1,000 workers for 19 contractors are engaged on the project, with 30 percent said to be migrant workers.
Eventually 234 foreign laborers were rounded up and taken to the Banglamung District Office.
Most were found to have proper visas and work permits, but some could not present their documentation. Authorities were waiting for their employers to arrive and sort out any concerns.
