Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has told foreigners who violate Thai laws or exploit Thai people to leave the country, using unusually blunt language in response to a request to establish a private cemetery.
Speaking at an Interior Ministry briefing with provincial governors on Sept. 17, Charnvirakul said foreigners who come to Thailand should work legally and contribute to mutually beneficial cooperation. He also warned against establishing religious sites without proper authorization and using Thai nationals as nominees in business arrangements.
‘Go die back home’
Charnvirakul said he had recently learned that foreigners had even requested permission to establish a private cemetery in Thailand, adding that the request had gone too far and crossed the line.
He said foreigners should be grateful for being allowed to come to Thailand to earn an honest living and argued that those who were going to die should return to their home countries rather than die in Thailand.
The prime minister also noted foreigners could not simply establish places of worship on their own and that such facilities had to comply with Thai laws and respect the country’s society and culture. He cited cases in which properties licensed as restaurants were allegedly being used as religious sites.
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Crackdown on foreign lawbreakers
Charnvirakul instructed provincial governors to make full use of their legal powers against foreigners who threaten, intimidate or exploit Thai people. He urged officials to use Thailand’s existing deportation procedures more quickly when the relevant legal criteria are met.
Thailand still welcomes foreign visitors and investors
At the same time, Charnvirakul stressed that Thailand remains open to foreigners who follow the law and respect Thai customs and culture.
He acknowledged the economic contribution of tourism and foreign investment but said that spending money in Thailand does not give anyone the right to violate the law or use investments to support illegal activities.
Charnvirakul said his remarks were not directed at any particular nationality. According to media reports, the cases under discussion involved foreigners from various parts of Asia, the Middle East, Central Asia, Europe and Africa.
