Thai National Escapes Unlawful Deportation After Suing State Over Immigration Detention

Maldives Immigration has revoked deportation-related measures against a Thai national who challenged her detention in the Civil Court, resulting in her release and withdrawal of the case.

Kanokpoorn Thawongna, who worked at a spa in Malé, filed a case against the state alleging that Immigration officers unlawfully entered her workplace and arrested her in December 2025.

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According to her case, the spa was closed for renovation when Immigration officers entered without a court warrant. She said she was preparing food with friends at the time of her arrest.

Thawongna claimed that she was detained and subjected to deportation proceedings despite holding valid permission to reside in the Maldives. She argued that the actions taken against her violated the Maldives Immigration Act.

She also told the court that she was made to sign a statement while in detention without a translator or her sponsor present, despite being unable to read or write in English.

Thawongna subsequently asked the Civil Court to declare that Maldives Immigration had violated her fundamental rights.

While the case was pending, she requested to withdraw the lawsuit after Immigration revoked the measures taken against her and released her.

The Civil Court subsequently concluded the case after recording the withdrawal of the suit.

The case comes amid intensified government enforcement against undocumented and non-compliant expatriates. Under the ongoing Operation Kurangi, authorities have expanded biometric registration, inspections and deportations of foreign nationals without valid immigration status or work permits.