Five African women have been arrested on Koh Samui after immigration officers discovered they had overstayed their permission to remain in Thailand by between 105 and 799 days. The women reportedly entered the country on tourist visas hoping to find work teaching English.
Koh Samui Visa Overstays Reach 799 Days
Koh Samui visa overstays have come under scrutiny after five African women were arrested on the island for remaining in Thailand beyond their authorised periods of stay. Immigration officers found that the women had overstayed by between 105 and 799 days.
The arrests took place at a hotel near Chaweng Beach on Friday, October 16, following a tip-off alleging that foreign women were approaching tourists in local nightlife areas and offering sexual services.
According to reports by MGR Online, Surat Thani immigration police investigated the tip-off by checking accommodation records before identifying five women whose permission to remain in Thailand had expired.
The women were subsequently arrested and charged with immigration-related offences for overstaying their permitted stays.
Five Women Reportedly Came to Thailand to Teach English
The five women were identified as:
- Babra Khemiremmi, 32, from Uganda, who reportedly overstayed by 799 days.
- Dora Sawara, 31, from Tanzania, who reportedly overstayed by 487 days.
- Prisca Gowi, 33, from Tanzania, who reportedly overstayed by 388 days.
- Tracy Tukamuebwa, 37, from Uganda, who reportedly overstayed by 224 days.
- Anita Akanwasa, 32, from Uganda, who reportedly overstayed by 105 days.
During questioning, all five reportedly admitted that they had remained in Thailand beyond their authorised periods of stay.
According to the report, the women said they had entered Thailand on tourist visas after being encouraged by another foreign woman to seek employment.
They reportedly hoped to find work teaching English at schools. However, after struggling to secure jobs, they said they turned to seeking work in tourist areas to support themselves.
The report did not establish whether any of the women had secured teaching positions or whether they held the qualifications required to teach in Thailand.
Immigration Police Investigate Koh Samui Hotel
Immigration officers reportedly identified nine foreign women staying at the hotel in the Bo Phut area of Koh Samui. Five were arrested after checks revealed their immigration overstays.
The investigation followed checks of accommodation records under Section 38 of Thailand’s Immigration Act. The provision requires accommodation providers and other specified operators to notify immigration authorities when foreign nationals stay at their premises.
The report did not provide details about the immigration status of the other four women identified during the checks.
Police said they would strengthen enforcement efforts targeting foreigners who overstay their permitted stays or are suspected of violating immigra
