Vietnamese who arrived on tourist visas make up the largest group of foreigners working illegally in occupations reserved for Thai citizens, according to Immigration Police commissioner Pol Lt Gen Nathathorn Prohsunthorn.
Pol Lt Gen Nathathorn said this yesterday at a meeting with immigration police from Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri, Lop Buri and Nonthaburi on stopping illegal immigration.
He said of all illegal migrants, Vietnamese made up the largest number in jobs reserved for Thais.
"Holding a passport with a 30-day tourist visa and with financial backing from Vietnamese investors, they run shopping stalls at various markets in the country," said Pol Lt Gen Nathathorn.
In a recent crackdown, immigration police found the Vietnamese running 31 vending stalls at Khlong Toey market in Bangkok.
They had taken up occupations reserved for Thai citizens, thus subverting the country's fundamental economy. They had also profiteered by adulterating their goods and paid no attention to cleanliness, he said.
The immigration police chief said these illegal migrants must be blacklisted and subject to tough legal action.
At the meeting in Ayutthaya, immigration police were told to watch factories for illegal migrants. All migrant workers were required to have a work permit. Their employers were also required to regularly inform the police of details of migrant workers they employ.