BANGKOK – Thai immigration police, working alongside officials from the Department of Employment and the Department of Business Development, raided five restaurants in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district on Wednesday, June 5, 2026.
This sudden crackdown occurred after a viral social media video revealed that a local Chinese noodle shop refused to accept Thai Baht, demanding payments exclusively in Chinese Yuan. During the afternoon sweep, authorities arrested six foreign nationals for illegal entry and for violating the country’s strict labor laws.
The controversy began when a Chinese social media influencer uploaded a video that quickly caught the attention of Thai authorities. In the footage, the influencer visited an eatery named Xin Xin Lanzhou Noodle, situated on the busy Pracharat Bamphen Road.
The influencer shared a shocking detail: the restaurant openly refused to accept the local currency, the Thai Baht. Instead, customers were forced to pay for their meals using Chinese Yuan.
This revelation caused an immediate uproar among Thai citizens online. Accepting only foreign currency and rejecting the legal tender of the host country is highly unusual. It often points to a “closed-loop” business model, which can bypass the local tax system entirely.
Once the video went viral on social media platforms, top immigration officials ordered an urgent investigation to ensure the business was complying with the law.
Inside the Coordinated Immigration Raid
Following direct orders from high-ranking officials, including Immigration Bureau Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumas Bunyalak and his deputies, a joint task force moved into the Huai Khwang area around 1:00 PM. Local commanders organized the strike team to inspect the accused noodle shop and several neighboring businesses.
The task force targeted Xin Xin Lanzhou Noodle and four other restaurants nearby. Here is what the authorities uncovered during the operation:
- Total Arrests Made: Police arrested a total of six foreign nationals across the five targeted business locations.
- Types of Charges Filed: The charges primarily included illegal entry into Thailand and working without a valid, government-issued work permit.
- Specifics at the Noodle Shop: Inside Xin Xin Lanzhou Noodle, officers arrested one person for sneaking into the country illegally and a second person for working unlawfully.
- Business Registration Review: The Department of Business Development stepped in to check the company’s registration papers. They are actively looking for illegal “nominee” structures, where a Thai citizen holds shares on behalf of a foreign owner to easily bypass business ownership laws.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Prasart Khemaprasit, Commander of Immigration Division 1, stated that the quick response was a direct result of the social media tip. He assured the public that the police will maintain a strong, visible presence in the area to prevent future illegal activities.
The Growing “New Chinatown” Business Problem
Huai Khwang, specifically the vibrant area around Pracharat Bamphen Road, is often referred to as Bangkok’s “New Chinatown.” Over the past few years, the neighborhood has seen a massive boom in Chinese-owned hotpot restaurants, supermarkets, and service shops catering heavily to expats and tourists.
While this brings fresh investment and energy to the city, it also introduces serious economic challenges. Many residents worry about “zero-dollar” businesses. This term describes foreign-owned shops that cater exclusively to tourists from their home country.
These businesses often use foreign mobile payment applications, sending profits directly back home without paying any local Thai taxes. When a shop like Xin Xin Lanzhou Noodle openly refuses the Thai Baht, it heavily fuels these economic concerns.
Under Thai law, businesses operating within the country must accept the national currency. Furthermore, certain jobs are strictly reserved for Thai citizens. Any foreigner working in Thailand must hold a proper visa and a valid work permit.
Authorities are not stopping with just this single raid. The Immigration Bureau has promised to keep a close, watchful eye on the entire Huai Khwang district. They want to make sure all businesses play by the rules, pay their fair share of taxes, and respect local currency regulations.
Police are also urging the local public to help act as their eyes and ears. If anyone sees suspicious business activities, illegal workers, or shops refusing Thai currency, they are encouraged to report it directly to the Thai Immigration Bureau by calling the official hotline at 1178.
According to the original report by Thairath, investigations into the financial and corporate structures of these restaurants are still ongoing.
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