Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has instructed authorities to look into the cases of more than 8,000 foreigners who have allegedly overstayed their visas, Defence spokesman Kongcheep Tantravanich said yesterday.
The crackdown will also focus on those who have entered the country illegally as some groups of foreigners are suspected of having links to transnational crime syndicates that have harmed the nation's economy and reputation, he said.
Gen Prawit, who also serves as the defence minister in charge of national security, has also directed the Royal Thai Police (RTP) to meet security agencies in the drugs fight.
The meeting was due to be held yesterday. The investigations will be expanded to implicate influential figures and state authorities who have supported various kinds of illegal activity. Legal action will be taken against them and their assets frozen, Lt Gen Kongcheep said. The move comes after a huge drug haul was confiscated from smuggling rings this year.
Drugs manufactured outside Thailand are stored in areas designated by drugs networks waiting for transit to the country. Later they are distributed throughout Thailand.
Gen Prawit said the agencies must be vigilant in the fight against illicit drugs.