PHUKET - A Russian and two Indian nationals were arrested and charged for overstaying their visas during a police raid on a villa in Bang Thao beach area of Thalang district on Thursday.
At about 1.15pm, a team of immigration and tourist police went to the villa, with a warrant issued by Phuket Provincial Court, for the arrest of an Indian man on charges of threatening and intimidating other people.
The officers did not find the Indian man, who was believed to be hiding inside the premises. However, they instead came across Georgi Shkodo, a 33-year-old Russian man whose visa had expired. He was taken to Cherng Talay police station for questioning.
Four policemen remained outside the villa for surveillance.
An unexpected incident took place when a foreign man came out of the villa wielding a baseball bat. He attacked the police with the bat, injuring two officers. The police called for reinforcements.
At about 5.15pm, a 30-strong special operation team and immigration police were dispatched to the villa. In a search, the police detained five foreigners for passport and visa checks. They were taken to Cherng Talay station for questioning.
Among the detained foreigners were two Indian men, identified on as Katik, 29, and Yuvraj Saxena, 25. Both were found to have overstayed their visas.
A foreign man is arrested during a police raid in Phuket. (Photo: Achadthaya Chuenniran)