Thai police target Kiwis

Thailand is to crack down on foreigners working illegally - including New Zealanders - and criminals using the country as a haven.

Immigration police have announced changes to visa regulations, to be enforced from next month, which will target foreigners from 39 countries who have been abusing the immigration system.

Under the new rules, visitors from countries on the privileged country list will be allowed to renew their 30-day tourist visa twice.

The present rules allow people to go out of Thailand and get another 30-day visa at an entry point as often as they like.

Many tourists who enjoy such privileges cross into neighbouring Cambodia, Myanmar or Laos to renew their visas, often returning to Thailand on the same day, Immigration Police chief Lieutenant General Suwat Tumrongsiskul said.

The new rules would allow Thai consular officials and other agencies to do background checks to keep out undesirable people, General Suwat said.

"The system has been abused for such a long time."

He said criminals came from Western Europe and China to resort towns such as Phuket and Pattaya, drawn by easy access to false documents, as well as cheap sex and beer.

- REUTERS