Thailand strengthens monitoring of foreign residents

By VNA February 21, 2025 | 06:36 pm PT

This picture taken on September 10, 2023 shows Chinese tourists dipping lotus bulbs in a water bowl, at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Photo by AFP

Thailand’s Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) has directed its provincial and district branches to step up monitoring of foreign communities to ensure legal compliance and prevent residents from being disturbed.

The directive, issued on Friday via radio dispatch from ISOC’s Second Operational Command, aims to prevent clashes between foreigners and Thais from escalating into community-level confrontations, which might affect international relationships.

ISOC has instructed its officials to prioritize national interests and security, economic stability, investment, and tourism while fostering peaceful and sustainable coexistence between Thais and foreign residents.

The move follows a series of clashes between Israelis and local residents and business owners in Mae Hong Son province’s Pai district since earlier this month.