Police in Phuket have arrested a British national for working without authorisation in a role reserved for Thai nationals – a tour guide.
The man, named only as 34 year old Mr Ryan, was working illegally as a tour guide at the Big Buddha. overlooking Chalong. On Thursday, March 7, at around 4pm, he was detained in the parking area by officers from the Phuket Tourist Police.
The man was taken to Karon Police Station to be charged with working without a work permit and carrying out a role reserved for Thai nationals. In Thailand, a number of occupations, including that of tour guide, are protected and can only be carried out by Thais. Work permits and visas are not available for this role, although the strict rules have been openly flaunted over the past year with the influx of tourists and new expats.
The arrest of Mr Ryan is one of several recent arrests of foreigners as Phuket police get tough on foreign nationals living on the island. The crackdown is part of the fallout from the recent arrest of a Swiss expat accused of kicking a Thai doctor, which has dominated social media and news headlines for weeks.
A Russian woman was also arrested in Wichita whilst allegedly working in the office of a snake farm.
SOURCE: The Phuket Express
