Picture via Facebook/Phuket Times ภูเก็ตไทม์

 

Police have apprehended a foreigner in Phuket, accusing him of running an illicit motorcycle rental service aimed at tourists. The accused, known only as Dinar, denied the charges and claimed his friend was the actual owner.

 

Tourist Police Sub-division 3 launched a crackdown on unauthorised vehicle rental enterprises operated by foreigners, targeting one suspect in Kathu district. This individual was reportedly linked to the One Way Big Bike Rental Company. During a raid on August 5, authorities caught Dinar washing a motorbike at the establishment.

 

Dinar was unable to provide essential documents, such as his passport and work permit, when the police requested them. Dinar maintained that he was not the business owner and instead directed attention to a friend named Victor. According to Dinar, the motorcycle belonged to Victor and had merely been loaned to him as a friend, not as part of any rental operation.

 

Despite Dinar's claims, police charged him under Thailand's Foreigners' Working Management Act for working without a permit.

 

This offence can lead to fines ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 baht, deportation, and a ban on applying for a work permit in the country for two years. Authorities plan to continue their investigation into Victor and other potential foreign nationals involved.

 

The incident sparked discussion on Phuket Times' Facebook page, as local commenters questioned police actions. Many argued that illegal foreign-run motorcycle rental businesses are common on the island, with some alleging these enterprises use advanced technology like GPS trackers and QR codes, even shutting off motorcycles remotely when rental periods expire.

 

Comments poured in with locals expressing disbelief over the late enforcement. “There are so many of them. They advertise on all social media platforms,” one user wrote. Another added, “Their services are more advanced than Thai shops. When rental time is up, the engine stops automatically.”

 

This issue raises questions about the extent of such illegal operations and the measures needed to curb them effectively.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-08-07

 

Are bike rental companies another job reserved only for Thais or can foreigners own (49%) with the correct paperwork? 

so he could not produce a passport on hand.  Not unusual.  Did he take the police back to his hotel and then produce his passport along with the proper at least non expired entry visa stamp?

37 minutes ago, phil2407 said:

Are bike rental companies another job reserved only for Thais or can foreigners own (49%) with the correct paperwork? 

Jobs reserved for Thai and company ownership are not related.

I wonder what nationality they are !

6 minutes ago, norfolkandchance said:

I wonder what nationality they are !

 

Judging by the photo he's the wicked witch of the west. 

32 minutes ago, Packer said:

 

Judging by the photo he's the wicked witch of the west. 

Or Eastern Siberia.

This will cost him a lot of Dinars. Allahu Akbar!

3 hours ago, phil2407 said:

Are bike rental companies another job reserved only for Thais or can foreigners own (49%) with the correct paperwork? 

No,  but washing the bikes is.

3 hours ago, phil2407 said:

Are bike rental companies another job reserved only for Thais or can foreigners own (49%) with the correct paperwork? 

A friend of mine ran a very successful bike rental business here, all fully legal, so yes foreigners can do it if they business is setup right.

With that name I thought he rented out camels.

6 hours ago, phil2407 said:

Are bike rental companies another job reserved only for Thais or can foreigners own (49%) with the correct paperwork? 

Possibly own it but certainly not rent it out for profit

They should go to Facebook market place and lots of groups if they want to capture a few farangs renting bikes out and using Thai nominees, Rawai is full of them,