Russian Man Arrested in Phuket for Illegal Motorcycle Lessons

[webfact]

 

A 29-year-old Russian man, Lazarev, was arrested in Phuket on charges of working without a valid work permit. Lazarev was secretly operating as a motorcycle instructor in the old floating market parking lot of Kathu Subdistrict, teaching driving lessons to foreign tourists.

 

The arrest came after local authorities were tipped off about his unauthorised activities. Lazarev had gained traction through Instagram, where he advertised his services. Many foreigners praised his lessons online, leading officers to investigate further.

 

Upon reaching the location, police observed L. interacting with a woman. Both were equipped with protective motorcycle gear, suggesting she was a student. Lazarev was seen instructing her on a black Honda Scoopy, explaining various operational aspects of the vehicle. After some initial guidance, he proceeded to set up an obstacle course with orange and red cones, allowing her to practise manoeuvring the bike.

 

The officers then approached Lazarev, interrupting the lesson to question him. They also spoke to the woman, who identified herself as a fellow Russian. She had found Lazarev's information on the internet and had agreed to pay 2,000 baht for a three-day motorcycle driving course.

 

Upon confirming that Lazarev was indeed working without a proper permit, the authorities took action. Charges were formally brought against him for “being a foreigner working without a work permit.” Lazarev was subsequently taken to Kathu Police Station for further legal proceedings.

 

This incident raises concerns about the regulation and monitoring of freelance instructors offering services to tourists. It also highlights the need for better compliance with local laws to ensure the safety and legality of such activities.

 

The Thai authorities are now reviewing the case, with potential ramifications for other foreign workers in similar unauthorised roles.

 

Picture courtesy: Kachon

 

-- 2024-06-24

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[ChipButty]

At least he was doing it in a safe place, 

[Hamus Yaigh]

31 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

At least he was doing it in a safe place, 

 

Safer than working illegally in Kharkiv.

[Gottfrid]

Hmmm.... he should have been applying for a WP, as this is not a work prohibited, as Thais absolutely can´t teach people to drive. 😂

That was his only mistake!

[Unify]

I applaud anyone helping people get more skilled on motorcycles here.

[NativeBob]

no evidence at all. He can tell them to ******* his ******. Posts on social networks are not sufficient evidence. Unless they had marked banknotes and 3 (three) witnesses ....

Saw it million times and not only TH.

Unless he was stupid enough to confess that he can deny in court 

[spidermike007]

Motorcycle lessons should be discouraged, at all costs. They are a terrible thing. Nobody should be allowed to gain skills that might save their lives.

 

The RTP. Doing everything within their power to make the nation safer.

[Hakuna Matata]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

A 29-year-old Russian man, Lazarev, was arrested in Phuket on charges of working without a valid work permit.

 

Oh my God, deport him back to Russia ASAP! Way too many Russians now in Thailand, especially in Phuket and Pattaya! 

 

And 90% of them are not law-obedient people, mostly involved in all kinds of illegal activities, staying in Thailand for months and even years, buying illegal ED visas.

 

Stricter visa rules are required!

 

 

[Hakuna Matata]

34 minutes ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

Safer than working illegally in Kharkiv.

 

Oh, yeah...

 

Kharkiv is definitely a Russian city already!

[wensiensheng]

It’s great to see someone doing something to improve motorbike riding skills on the island. Even better that people actually are willing to pay money to do so.

 

Shame he didn’t get the required permit first.

[hotchilli]

4 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

It’s great to see someone doing something to improve motorbike riding skills on the island. Even better that people actually are willing to pay money to do so.

 

Shame he didn’t get the required permit first.

Agreed, he saw a niche market and went for it... just without the WP

[johng]

I very much doubt he would have got a work permit for driving instruction...would love to be proven wrong though.

[john donson]

the whole... you need to earn 40k + pay taxes and hire 4 , in this case, useless people, for a work permit situation...   would love home countries would implement these jokes on thai,  no land, no house, no work unless 4 locals hired...

[MalcolmB]

6 minutes ago, john donson said:

would love home countries would implement these jokes on thai,  no land, no house, no work unless 4 locals hired...

visa on arrival for Thais to your country?

or not?

retirement visas for Thais over 50 for your country?
or not?

thais can just show up to your country and work?
or not?

[mancub]

24 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

visa on arrival for Thais to your country?

or not?

retirement visas for Thais over 50 for your country?
or not?

thais can just show up to your country and work?
or not?

That may be true, My country. however. does not attempt to entice millions of Thai tourists annually. with scant regard for their welfare, only the boundless desire for their money .

[MalcolmB]

4 minutes ago, mancub said:

That may be true, My country. however. does not attempt to entice millions of Thai tourists annually. with scant regard for their welfare, only the boundless desire for their money .

If a thai shows up to your country and employs four of your people will they give him a work permit?

[NoDisplayName]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Both were equipped with protective motorcycle gear, suggesting she was .....

.......not Thai.

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Lazarev was seen instructing her on a black Honda Scoopy, explaining various operational aspects of the vehicle. After some initial guidance, he proceeded to set up an obstacle course with orange and red cones, allowing her to practise manoeuvring the bike.

This will not do!

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Upon confirming that Lazarev was indeed......

....teaching proper safe riding skills,........

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

the authorities took action. Charges were formally brought against him for....

.......making the world a little safer.

 

Amazing.

[mancub]

38 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

If a thai shows up to your country and employs four of your people will they give him a work permit?

Their are a myriad of reasons why you can't simply compare different nations so easily.

[thesetat2013]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

This incident raises concerns about the regulation and monitoring of freelance instructors offering services to tourists. It also highlights the need for better compliance with local laws to ensure the safety and legality of such activities

actually, this highlights the need to make such courses readily available to the renters who drive in Thailand. This freelance instructor probably saved many thai lives already with that course. Surely, there is a need for such a course in Thailand. 

[Andre0720]

So where is the picture of the Thai person who might finally have had a job of teaching someone to ride a motorbike, once this year, and was deprived of that income...

[Tropicalevo]

7 hours ago, ChipButty said:

At least he was doing it in a safe place, 

Agreed, and at least he was doing it.

Many folk need m/b riding lessons and would be happy to pay, but where to find them?

[MalcolmB]

39 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Agreed, and at least he was doing it.

Many folk need m/b riding lessons and would be happy to pay, but where to find them?

https://hondasafety.thaihonda.co.th/course/pre-riding-learn-to-drive-a-motorcycle-for-beginners-9
 

https://asiamoto.club/eng/phuket-motoschool/#

[NativeBob]

On 6/24/2024 at 7:09 AM, webfact said:

Upon confirming that Lazarev was indeed working without a proper permit, the authorities took action.

Seriously "confirming"? 

so the entire investigation took lightning speed of few minutes!