AI Camera System Leads to Arrests of Nigerian and Ivorian Overstayers in Phuket

Phuket Tourist Police recently apprehended two foreign nationals in Kathu district who had allegedly overstayed their visas for more than two years. The arrests were made possible by an advanced AI facial recognition system that flagged them on May 8. This operation forms part of a broader crackdown targeting foreigners suspected of immigration offenses and other illegal activities across major tourist destinations. Tourist police confirmed that the initiative followed directives to intensify checks on overstayers and suspicious individuals throughout Phuket. Officers deployed a Mobile AI Camera system, integrated into a smart patrol vehicle, to screen individuals in Kathu. This system is linked to a central database containing information on foreign nationals whose permission to stay in Thailand has expired. The technology successfully alerted officers to the two men wanted for overstaying offenses. The first suspect was identified as Clinton Ubasinachi Ekechukwu, a 24-year-old Nigerian national, who entered Thailand under the 60-day visa exemption scheme and had allegedly overstayed by 877 days. The second individual was Ousmane Kone, a 34-year-old Ivorian national, who entered under the same scheme and had reportedly overstayed by 739 days. Tourist police emphasized that the facial recognition system significantly aids officers in identifying foreign nationals with expired immigration status in real-time, thereby enhancing security checks in bustling tourist areas. Both men have been charged with remaining in Thailand after their permission to stay had expired. They were subsequently taken to Kathu Police Station for legal processing and deportation procedures. This incident mirrors similar efforts from the previous year, when a Phuket overstay sweep led to the arrest of three Nigerian nationals for visa overstaying, with one individual accused of remaining nearly seven months beyond his permitted stay. Such targeted operations are conducted under high-level directives from national police chiefs, aiming to root out visa overstayers and maintain immigration integrity.