Five African women arrested for visa overstays on Koh Samui

Immigration officers in Surat Thani province arrested five African women for overstaying their visas at a hotel near Chaweng Beach on Koh Samui. The operation followed reports that groups of foreign women were soliciting tourists for sexual services in local nightlife areas.

Of the nine foreign women found at the property, five were identified as having stayed beyond their permitted duration. The overstays ranged from 105 to 799 days. The individuals arrested include three Ugandan nationals and two Tanzanian nationals.

The women stated they originally entered Thailand on tourist visas with the intention of finding work as English teachers. After failing to secure teaching positions, they sought other employment to support themselves. All five suspects admitted to the overstay offenses and have been transferred to the Bo Phut Police Station for legal proceedings.