S Koreans nabbed for illegally working
PHUKET: Four South Korean men have been arrested for working illegally in Thailand, with one of them also wanted by Interpol for posting obscene pictures of children on the internet.
Their arrest follows information from the South Korean embassy, which asked Thai authorities to track down a group of men from South Korea who were believed to be conducting an illegal business in this island province.
Immigration police conducted an inquiry and searched a rented house at the Villa Kathu Housing Estate, Kathu district, on Dec 29 and found four South Korean men inside. All were working with computers, designing websites and trading in cryptocurrencies.
They were later identified as Kang Mingu, Chul Jae-jung, Min Joo-won and Kim Hyun-su.
Documents found on the premises indicated they also ran a money-lending business, immigration police said.
All were charged with working without a permit.
Mr Kang was also charged with overstaying his visa by 253 days. He is the subject of an Interpol red notice for allegedly publishing obscene photos of children on the internet.
Police said they found loan documents showing the accused were lending money and overcharging the interest. They were handed over to Kathu police for legal proceedings.
The crackdown on migrant workers has been ordered by national police chief Pol Gen Suwat Jangyodsuk to suppress unrest triggered by foreigners.