Crime Russian Tour Guides in Hot Water Amid Phuket Police Sting

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Picture courtesy of The Phuket News

 

Thailand's tourist gem, Phuket, witnessed a dramatic turn as Tourist Police cracked down on illegal tour operations, arresting two Russian nationals and fining two tour companies in a strategic move against unlicensed activities in the tourism sector.

 

The operation, executed on April 23, was led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Ekkachai Siri alongside multiple police units and the Southern Region 2 Tourist Business and Guide Registration Office. Their mission was clear: to uphold the Tourist Business and Guide Act by clamping down on foreigners illegally working in Thailand's tourism industry.

 

Police reported catching two Russians in the act, serving as unlicensed tour guides — an infringement of Thai law that reserves such roles for Thai nationals only.

 

One individual was caught at the Laem Tukkae public beach pier on Koh Siray, and the other at Baan Hin Rom Pier in Klong Khian, Phang Nga's Takua Thung district.

 

 

 

The crackdown also saw two tour companies fined under Section 33 of the Tourist Business and Guide Act. Violations included failing to submit tour guide work orders for inspection and not providing licensed Thai guides, a legal requirement aimed at maintaining service quality and protecting local employment.

 

These breaches were found during an unannounced inspection at Wat Khao Kok Kloy Waterfall in Phang Nga's Kok Kloy area, attracting both local and foreign visitors.

 

Despite the operation's prominence, authorities have withheld the identities of those involved.

 

This operation is part of a comprehensive drive to clean up the tourism sector amid rising visitor numbers in the post-pandemic travel upturn. Authorities are ramping up inspections and adopting a no-tolerance approach to illegal tour operations circumventing Thai licensing laws.

 

As tourism remains a cornerstone of Thailand's economy, officials urge businesses to align with legal stipulations, cautioning foreign nationals that unlicensed guiding can result in severe repercussions.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-04-25

 

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

It would be easy for the tour companies to get around this little issue.

More expensive, but easy.

But I guess that greed has no limits.

[Gottfrid]

Pesky Russians

[sharot724]

Can we buy them a ticket to the Front Lines?

[ikke1959]

The protection labour laws of Thailand. I am wondering if the same stupid law was enforced in the Western countries.. How many Thais would go on holiday with only a foreign guide as Thai guides were forbidden. Guiding is only for the people who are persons of the country itself.. Impossible for a Thai to get permission or workpermit to guide Thais around... They would complain and they would not travel anymore.. When gets Thailand the brains that guides are needed for tourists and if you don't get good guides tourism will go down... But the conservatism in Thailand is gigantic...

[Magictoad]

Surely it can't be difficult to find the necessary Thais fluent in Russian?

[NativeBob]

There are so many things to do at Phuket, why "guiding"? Too dumb too greedy? Well then "welcome to natural selection" kids. 

[Hakuna Matata]

2 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Pesky Russians

 

Yes, this is a step in the right direction! More strict law enforcement is required in Phuket, Pattaya, Samui, etc.

 

[Hakuna Matata]

24 minutes ago, Magictoad said:

Surely it can't be difficult to find the necessary Thais fluent in Russian?

 

I understand your sarcasm.

 

However, if there are no illegal Russian tour guides in Thailand, the salary for Thai nationals will rise 2 times. So there will be incentive for them to learn Russian in order to be able speak better.