UDON THANI – On Saturday, Police, while out on patrol, received a report that a foreign man had allegedly committed an indecent act against a young woman outside a dorm room in Khantirak Soi, Nittayo Road, within the Udon Thani municipal area.
Upon arriving at the two-storey dorm, police found “Ms. A” (a pseudonym), an 18-year-old resident of Udon Thani with autism. She lived there with her mother, who works at a local department store, leaving her daughter alone during work hours.
Ms. A said a foreign man, whose name she did not know, rented the room opposite hers. When her mother was not around, the man often watched her. She told her mother, who advised her to record videos if she felt unsafe.
On the day of the incident, Ms. A was alone when the man knocked on her door asking about a laundry shop. Once she answered, he came inside, hugged her, put his arm around her waist, and tried to touch her inappropriately.
Shocked, she retreated into her room. The man then invited her to his room, but she refused and immediately called the dorm manager.
Pakistani Denied Allegations
Ms. Bow, 35, the dormitory manager, shared that the man had only been renting there for less than a month, arriving with a local girlfriend who sells drinks from an unknown location.
Ms. A and her mother share a room; Ms. A called Ms. Bow several times about suspicious behaviour from the man across the hall. Ms. Bow had noticed the man frequently watching Ms. A, especially when she was alone.
The previous night, Ms. Bow saw the man cleaning his room while Ms. A waited outside for her, likely because she felt scared. When Ms. A called again to report the man’s actions, her voice shook with fear. She explained that not only did he stare, but he also came to her door and tried to lure her to his own room.
Deputy Tourist Police Inspector Preeda Misathum reported that the foreign man identified himself as Mr. Ahmed Waqa, aged 32, from Pakistan. He denied any wrongdoing and claimed he was living in the dorm with his Thai girlfriend, who was out selling fruit at the time.
Mr. Ahmed said his passport was with his girlfriend. However, when police phoned the woman named as his girlfriend, she denied the relationship, explaining they were just friends and she had only helped him rent the room. She also said she did not have his passport.
Immigration police checked Mr. Ahmed’s records and found that he had entered Thailand two years ago, then left for Malaysia. There was no record of a legal return to Thailand, so police believe he re-entered the country illegally and has been here ever since.
Immigration Police Crackdown
Officers charged Mr. Ahmed for illegal entry and staying in the kingdom without permission. They handed him over to the investigation officer, Police Captain Rungsakda Prasert, at the Udon Thani City Police station.
The charge of indecent assault is now under police investigation, with the authorities collecting statements from witnesses and building a case against him.
Thailand has stepped up efforts to stop Pakistani nationals trying to enter the country illegally, with a focus on people using fake e-visas and false documents. Thai authorities have noticed a consistent pattern of visa issues tied to human trafficking, so they have tightened e-visa regulations and increased checks at border points.
Pakistani travellers do not qualify for visa-free or visa-on-arrival options in Thailand. They need to secure a visa ahead of travel, either online through the e-visa platform (which fully launched on 1 January 2025) or by visiting a Thai embassy or consulate. Using fake paperwork can lead to instant deportation, an entry ban, and being placed on a blacklist.
These steps by Thailand are in line with wider global actions to tackle irregular migration from Pakistan, which has grown due to financial struggles and the influence of trafficking gangs.
From 1 May 2025, all foreign visitors must complete the Thai Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before arriving. This system checks details electronically in advance, making it harder for people to use false documents.
