Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who also heads the Interior Ministry, demanded strict enforcement of the law against foreigners who run businesses illegally, exploit locals or violate established rules. The sharp statement came on September 17 during a speech in which the government chief also responded to a story about a private cemetery, saying that foreigners who wish to die in Thailand should "die in their home country," reports infohub.kz.
The prime minister's words did not apply to all foreigners living in the country, however. In the same speech, Charnvirakul noted that visitors who work honestly, obey the law and do not infringe on Thais' interests may live in the kingdom without issue.
One topic of the speech was the situation surrounding a private cemetery. Charnvirakul said he had recently learned of a request to create such a facility and called the initiative beyond acceptable bounds. It was after this that he made the remark that foreigners, if they are "destined to die," should do so in their home country.
The dispute arose amid an investigation into the operations of a cemetery in Chachoengsao province. Thai authorities were checking its licensing, ownership structure and possible links to companies using nominee arrangements. In September, officials reported four bodies buried there and were verifying the legality of the facility's operations. The Interior Ministry subsequently ordered a nationwide list of cemeteries and crematoriums to be compiled and their valid permits checked.
The prime minister also drew attention to cases where premises are licensed for one type of activity but are in fact used differently. As an example, he mentioned a situation where a facility is registered as a restaurant and then used as a religious space. Charnvirakul stressed that religious facilities cannot be opened without following the required procedures, and their activities must comply with Thai law.
The main theme of the speech, however, was not cemeteries but tighter control over foreigners who violate Thailand's laws. The prime minister instructed governors to make more active use of their powers to deport those who threaten locals, work illegally, run illegal businesses or use Thailand as a base for unlawful activity. He paid particular attention to the tourist provinces of Phuket and Surat Thani.
Charnvirakul also said authorities should not delay deportations over disputes about who will pay for the air ticket. According to him, if there are legal grounds, a person must leave the country as quickly as possible.
Another focus is so-called nominee schemes, in which foreigners effectively control a business or property through nominal Thai owners. The government said on September 17 that it is stepping up checks on such structures and intends to revise certain procedures after uncovering links between naturalized foreigners and companies suspected of using proxies.
Authorities have also previously reported checks on thousands of companies that may be using such schemes. Particular attention is being paid to land ownership, commercial activity without the necessary permits and de facto control of businesses by foreign nationals.