According to Noppadol Ployudee from the Phuket Labour Office, one out of every three 'foreigners' in Phuket is an illegal immigrant.

Out of the 64,105 people who submitted their proof of nationality along with their work permit to the Phuket Labour Office, a mere 267 have had their application accepted and been granted work permits for 2010.

The original date for nationality proof and temporary residence registration was extended from 19 January to 28 February.

?There are many that still have their application in process and if they are successful, they will receive their work permits by 28 February.? explained K Noppadol.

The most common nationalities of suspected migrant workers are Burmese, Lao and Cambodian. 5090 applicants of Burmese nationality have had their nationality proven by the Burmese government and for some it is the first time, ?We have been doing nationality checks for a long time for people from Lao and Cambodia, but it is quite new for Burmese as we have only just come to an agreement from the Burmese government? said Khun Noppadol.
Those who receive their papers will be able to work in Phuket for two years but will then have to reapply for a further two years.

A Burmese man, who wished to remain anonymous, said that many of his friends were afraid of contacting the Burmese governmet to get their nationality proven for fear of being taxed by both the Thai and the Burmese government.

If they did contact the Burmese government they would invariably give them a fake address so that they couldn?t be contacted or then taxed again at a later date. He said therefore that it was quite common for Burmese workers in Phuket to buy fake papers.

The Phuket Labour Office has warned that anybody who is found to have hired an illegal worker will face up to five years imprisonment and/or up to 100,000 baht fine.
The illegal worker will also face up to five years in prison and could expect a fine of 2000 -100,000 baht.

?After 28 February, there will be a release of a special unit from the military and officers from the Ministry of Defence to capture and chase them and send them back.? K Noppodol said.