A Norwegian woman and a British man have been apprehended in Thailand for alleged illegal employment.

 

The arrests occurred on Koh Pha Ngan and Phuket island respectively, as part of a police operation targeting foreign nationals working unlawfully in the country.

 

The Norwegian woman, 56 year old Unni Sekkesaeter was taken into custody at Tha Sala pier in the district of Pha Ngan, Surat Thani. The arrest was facilitated by a joint task force comprising immigration, tourist police and local police.

Sekkesaeter was apprehended as she waved goodbye to two departing tourists from her Toyota sedan, prominently marked with the name Pha Ngan Paragon Resort & Spa. The arrest was confirmed by Surat Chani’s immigration chief, Naruewat Phutthaviro.

Sekkesaeter is now facing charges for ferrying passengers in her vehicle, a violation of Thai law which forbids foreigners from driving passengers. She has reportedly admitted to the charge. In addition to this, Sekkesaeter is the general manager of Pure Lifestyle, a company that operates Pha Ngan Paragon Resort & Spa among other resorts on the southern tourist island, famous for its Full Moon Party.

 

Police have been instructed to press charges against the company and its authorised director for permitting Sekkesaeter to engage in work that is off-limits to foreigners.

 

Meanwhile, in Phuket, the immigration chief, Phisit Sawadthavorn, reported the arrest of a 34 year old British man, Ryan Horner. The arrest occurred in the parking lot of Wat Phra Yai in Mueang district. Horner stands accused of working as a guide, a profession in Thailand that is reserved exclusively for Thai citizens, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Following his arrest, Horner was taken to Karon police station to face the charges.

 

In related news, police charged an American woman for running an unlicensed nursery on Koh Phra Ngan, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. Seven foreigners were found working at the site without permits.

 

by Mitch Connor

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-09

 

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11 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thai law which forbids foreigners from driving passengers.

Told  the  wife  shes  gotta  walk everywhere from now  on, even the  dogs on its  own now too

I can feel the simmering hate recently.

Thai people see the mote in the foreigners eyes, but don.t see the beam in their own. It is just getting to look like a witchhunt, or even what the Germans did before the second World War... blame a group and prosecute and deport them. And that in country that pretents to be welcoming retiring people, tourist and expats...

1 hour ago, webfact said:

working

arrested for illegal employment

We are going to see more and more of these articles, so many losers coming to Thailand now, without money.

 

I see so many postings on social media, people asking 'how do I get work in Thailand'? etc. 

 

Its always been the case but now we have the likes of Dan About Thailand and similar broadcasting how cheap and that it's an oasis, a peaceful, beautiful sanctuary etc. these listeners are packing their bags and relocating. 

 

 

 

5 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

We are going to see more and more of these articles, so many losers coming to Thailand now, without money.

 

I see so many postings on social media, people asking 'how do I get work in Thailand'? etc. 

 

Its always been the case but now we have the likes of Dan About Thailand and similar broadcasting how cheap and that it's an oasis etc. these listeners are packing their bags and relocating. 

 

 

 

Open slather for Russians now in Pratumnak, no attempt to hide their involvement in operating in full view, just what is permitted who knows! 

Anybody working illegally (without a work permit) or legally (with a work permit) but in a job reserved for Thais (like driving passengers) should be arrested and deported, unless from a low-income neighboring country. Imagine the gall of the westerners, unable to earn in their own country, had to travel 10,000 miles to work illegally in Thailand.  Thailand is for unfortunate western retirees who could not make it in their own country and had to travel to Thailand for life and love. It is not for young people to discover 5000 baht rooms and 50 baht meals working illegally in Thailand. 

13 minutes ago, CartagenaWarlock said:

Anybody working illegally (without a work permit) or legally (with a work permit) but in a job reserved for Thais (like driving passengers) should be arrested and deported, unless from a low-income neighboring country. Imagine the gall of the westerners, unable to earn in their own country, had to travel 10,000 miles to work illegally in Thailand.  Thailand is for unfortunate western retirees who could not make it in their own country and had to travel to Thailand for life and love. It is not for young people to discover 5000 baht rooms and 50 baht meals working illegally in Thailand. 

Arrested with a work permit? Please explain. 

In years gone by farangs have been arrested at Phuket airport for dropping people off, one I remember was stood there in full view being given money from the passengers, idiot should have made them pay him in the car, 

2 minutes ago, Olmate said:

Arrested with a work permit? Please explain. 

Even though a person might have a work permit it will only cover specific jobs, strange but true

2 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Even though a person might have a work permit it will only cover specific jobs, strange but true

Ok thanks, so eg operating a travel kiosk,? outside 7/11 selling tours trips, realestate,to Russian speaking clients may be ok

Just now, Olmate said:

Arrested with a work permit? Please explain. 

Even with a work permit, you are not supposed to work in  jobs reserved for Thais, like carrying passengers, tour guides, flipping burgers on the streets, working in salons, etc. 

1 minute ago, CartagenaWarlock said:

Even with a work permit, you are not supposed to work in  jobs reserved for Thais, like carrying passengers, tour guides, flipping burgers on the streets, working in salons, etc. 

Thanks! 

1 hour ago, Olmate said:

Open slather for Russians now in Pratumnak, no attempt to hide their involvement in operating in full view, just what is permitted who knows! 

Depends on how much the palms have been greased.

Wonder if my neighbours are getting nervous 🤔

27 minutes ago, Olmate said:

Ok thanks, so eg operating a travel kiosk,? outside 7/11 selling tours trips, realestate,to Russian speaking clients may be ok

Maybe, but you are not allowed to clean your windows, 

49 minutes ago, Olmate said:

Arrested with a work permit? Please explain. 

My gut on this says she was doing a job that was not authorized by the work permit. Making what she was doing illegal. Work permits are given out for one job description only. Anything more than that is considered working illegally. Especially if it is a job set out to be given to a Thai

Just now, hotchilli said:

Depends on how much the palms have been greased.

Russians may have spent lots of money to escape to Thailand, but those working illegally should be arrested and deported after getting their money. They have the gall to come to Thailand to work illegally. It is not free for all. If you are a retired westerner and have contributed to Western societies but still cannot live a decent life in your home country, you can come to Thailand and enjoy your golden years in 5000 baht rooms eating 50 baht meals, or you can build your dream house in the boonies, surrounded by dilapidated structures and open rice fields, to rejoice in your accomplishments.  

Just now, thesetat said:

My gut on this says she was doing a job that was not authorized by the work permit.

She was doing a job that is reserved for Thais only, like driving passengers in a rental car or using her own personal cars to drive passengers for money. 

2 hours ago, ukrules said:

I can feel the simmering hate recently.

so can I mate.

 

the xenophobes are out in full force at the moment.

 

thank god I sold my phuket condo pre covid,

what a hell hole that place has become!

 

bob.

19 minutes ago, thesetat said:

My gut on this says she was doing a job that was not authorized by the work permit. Making what she was doing illegal. Work permits are given out for one job description only. Anything more than that is considered working illegally. Especially if it is a job set out to be given to a Thai

Years ago they had some mad rule about farang dive instructors not being allowed to carry their own dive equipment to and from the boat, that was in Chalong pier, 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

a violation of Thai law which forbids foreigners from driving passengers.

My misses can drive herself shopping in the future.

They ain't gonna get me on that one!

2 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Years ago they had some mad rule about farang dive instructors not being allowed to carry their own dive equipment to and from the boat, that was in Chalong pier, 

They often made it up as they went along. Once the authorities have been spurned into action, they need their money!

Sad to see really. There must be thousands of people working remotely in Thailand without a work permit on ED visas, a whole bunch of Russian business fronts, and whatever lies between. But let's focus on some technicalities for people who probably had work permits and at least tried to do the right thing. 

 

29 minutes ago, thesetat said:

My gut on this says she was doing a job that was not authorized by the work permit. Making what she was doing illegal. Work permits are given out for one job description only. Anything more than that is considered working illegally. Especially if it is a job set out to be given to a Thai

 

There is no job description in my work permit.

2 minutes ago, Karma80 said:

Sad to see really. There must be thousands of people working remotely in Thailand without a work permit on ED visas, a whole bunch of Russian business fronts, and whatever lies between. But let's focus on some technicalities for people who probably had work permits and at least tried to do the right thing. 

 

 

Not allowed to work on an ED visa.

 

Awesome to see the crackdown on these scumbags.

13 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

My misses can drive herself shopping in the future.

They ain't gonna get me on that one!

I get the midget to drive everywhere these days 

9 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

There is no job description in my work permit.

That job description was given by your employer when applying for the work permit. 

1 minute ago, thesetat said:

That job description was given by your employer when applying for the work permit. 

 

Yeah, cool.

2 hours ago, ukrules said:

I can feel the simmering hate recently.

I can't. 

 

Must be where you live.