Hunt for 'bad foreigners' in Thailand: 400 criminal cases opened in Phuket

At least 400 criminal cases have been filed against foreigners by a center set up to monitor foreign visitors to Phuket.

The center was established a month ago following several incidents involving foreigners, including the high-profile case of a Swiss man who kicked a Thai doctor on Yamu Beach in February.

See: The Swiss Effect: Thailand Steps Up Hunt for Bad Foreigners

Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat said nearly 100 foreigners had their visas revoked, adding that it was for public safety.

Problems with foreigners have been on the rise this year, with the latest case occurring on Wednesday, April 3, when a Phuket taxi driver was physically assaulted by a drunken Austrian tourist.

The attack resulted in a minor car accident.

See: Foreign tourist attacks taxi driver in Phuket, Thailand

Phuket court responds to increase in tourism-related cases

A Thai police officer was attacked by two New Zealand tourists on the side of a road in Phuket on Saturday, March 16.

The Phuket Provincial Court will reopen its tourist section to help visitors to the province resolve legal matters following a recent increase in tourist-related disputes.

Acting Chief Judge of Phuket Provincial Court Kriangsak Rodpunshoo recently chaired a meeting on the reopening of the branch.

He said the large number of Thai and foreign tourists in Phuket has led to an increase in criminal and civil cases involving tourists.

The increase in the number of cases affects tourists' confidence in their personal safety and potential risks to their property, and also has a ripple effect on tourism in general across the nation, Mr. Kriangsak said.

"The procedures of the Tourism Affairs Section will help ensure justice for tourists in the event of criminal or civil disputes, or disputes with a state agency, so that they can benefit from legal protection," he said.

"This will boost tourist confidence and create a good image for Phuket province and tourism in Thailand as a whole."

The section first opened on September 24, 2017, but its activities ceased due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some of its duties include helping tourists file complaints in consumer protection cases, arranging negotiations, finding witnesses who are also tourists, and issuing subpoenas to sued entrepreneurs.

This development follows a recent case in Phuket involving two New Zealand tourists who were banned from entering the country after attacking a traffic police officer on March 16.

They were charged with theft, obstructing an officer in the performance of his duties, assaulting a law enforcement officer, driving without a license and bribery.

See: Two tourists attack a police officer in Thailand: they risk 5 to 10 years in prison

See also:

Enraged tourist destroys taxi and assaults driver in Phuket, Thailand

Tourist attacks pregnant Thai woman on Thai island

Thais concerned about rise in attacks involving foreigners

Source: Bangkok Post