New Head of Immigration

The new Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Immigration Police, Police Lt. General Wut Liptaphanlop, made Pattaya one of his first official visits so he could witness the roundup of immigrants from neighboring countries who entered the Kingdom illegally by sneaking across the borders and have been illegally working on construction sites in the region and thereby taking jobs Thai people could be performing.

The national chief witnessed the excellent job Police Colonel Athiwit Kamolrat, head of Chonburi Immigration, and his investigators, officers and support staff has been performing earned them a congratulatory visit in
October from Police Major General Sakda Chuenpakdee, Superintendent of Immigration Region 3, comprised of the 11 Eastern Provinces.

Police Lt. General Wut Liptaphanlop said, “To create stability within our country, we cannot let foreigners enter the country illegally especially when there is a possibility of them committing crimes. I want to enforce this policy right away and immediately stop illegal immigrants working in Thailand.”


These 115 workers from Burma and Cambodia, who entered the Kingdom illegally and are working without work permits, were arrested and detained by Chonburi Immigration Police in a large-scale crackdown at area construction sites

Focuses on protecting the borders, making sure foreigners obey Thai laws and keep the Immigration Bureau updated as to their where abouts is also essential, the two Immigration leaders said in their discussion.

Protecting Thai jobs, upholding immigration laws and stopping crime on and by foreigners are the main goals of immigration, the Chonburi Chief said.

The new Supreme Commander’s goals and the goals of Chonburi Immigration are to detain and expel illegal foreign workers and those who enter Thailand illegally.

“We are now moving closer to the New Year when there is an increase of tourists who come to Pattaya for the countdown celebration. The Pattaya-based immigration police station did a great job arresting these 115 illegal immigrants with most of them coming from Cambodia and Burma,” said highly-respected Police Lieutenant General Wut Liptaphanlop.

Police Lieutenant General Wut Liptaphanlop reiterated his policy to strictly deal with illegal immigrant workers to reduce crimes they might commit in Pattaya stating, “Pattaya is a desirable destination for many. Immigration work will have to progress along with servicing tourists as well as creating stability within Pattaya.”

Police Lt. General Wut and his aides visited the newly designated Chonburi Immigration Office in Pattaya for the first time after his new assignment as commander of all Royal Thai Immigration Bureau offices and officers in November. He was previously in charge of the specialized Drug Suppression Unit for the whole of Thailand dealing with trafficking in heroin, opium, yaba, ice and other illegal drugs with the support of the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

The progressive and successful commander stationed in the Pattaya Soi 5 office in Jomtien, Police Colonel Athiwit Kamolrat, was designated the Head of the Chonburi Immigration Office in October with all three immigration offices in the area falling under his overall command.

Police Colonel Athiwit Kamolrat and Police General Wut Liptaphanlop met in the Jomtien station so the new boss could see the 115 illegal immigrant workers that had been arrested at illegal construction sites in the Eastern region.

The Pattaya Immigration Office has been so successful under Police Colonel Athiwit Kamolrat that it was made headquarters for the entire Chonburi Province. Pattaya foreigners are fortunate that due to the improvements made in the last year visa renewals, extensions and 90-day reporting procedures are now much more streamlined.

Formerly known as Pattaya Immigration the local office is located at Jomtien Beach off the main road on Soi 5 and as of October it is now called Chonburi Immigration. Under Superintendent Police Colonel Athiwit Kamolrat the former Pattaya office has expanded its services and efficiency to the point that it is a model for all Immigration Bureau offices in Thailand and as such is deemed powerful enough to control all three offices
in the region: Sriracha, Pattaya and Koh Sri Chang.

The new Deputy Superintendent for the new Chonburi headquarters located in Jomtien is Police Lt. Colonel Pakpong Sai-Ubol who was transferred from the Sriracha Immigration Bureau office to be promoted as second in command at the new regional headquarters and help with the consolidation.

The immigration website is also new. Instead of the old site www.pattayaimmigration.com now foreigners should use www.chonburiimmigration.com.