Tourist police in Phuket, Thailand, have arrested a 24-year-old Nigerian national, Clinton Ubasinachi Ekechukwu, who had overstayed his visa for more than two years. The arrest occurred after an AI facial recognition system flagged him in the Kathu district on May 8, 2026.
Operation Details
The arrest was made during a crackdown on foreigners suspected of immigration offences and other illegal activities in major tourist areas. Tourist police said the operation followed orders to increase checks on overstayers and suspicious individuals in Phuket.
AI Technology in Use
Officers deployed a Mobile AI Camera system installed in a smart patrol vehicle to screen people in Kathu. The system is connected to a central database of foreign nationals whose permission to stay in Thailand has expired. It reportedly alerted officers to two men wanted for overstaying offences.
According to police, Ekechukwu entered Thailand under the 60-day visa exemption scheme and had allegedly overstayed by 877 days. Tourist police noted that the facial recognition system helps officers identify foreign nationals with expired immigration status in real time, improving checks in busy tourist areas.
Legal Proceedings
The Nigerian was charged with being a foreign national remaining in Thailand after his permission had expired. He was taken to Kathu Police Station for legal proceedings and subsequent deportation procedures.
