6 hours ago, Vlada Floric said:

Heck, they were just bird watching,

...and the tourists were in no trouble for doing that.  It was the tour guide who was in trouble for working illegally...as the OP clearly stated.  

6 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Maybe Thailand should consider lightening up the restrictions and letting more opportunities for those little brown envelopes to flow more freely. Win win.

If they lightened-up the restriction to allow more foreigner to do these jobs legally, how would that provide more bribe cash to flow?

6 hours ago, ronster said:

Don't remember seeing that on the list of occupations not allowed by foreigners ,  unless they are charging him as it is a tour and he can't be a tour guide . Rather than the niche specific bird watching tour. 

..."He was charged under the Tourism Business and Guide Act for operating a tour business without a licence".

 

Bird-watching tours are not illegal unless organised and conducted by illegal tour guides, that is what makes them technically illegal.

5 hours ago, showabanana said:

The authorities turn a blind eye to the Indians operating the restaurants in busy central Pattaya but launched a fight in rural areas for ONE foreign tour guide. Amazing.

So you're claimng that "the Indians" operating restaurants are doing so illegally?  And with no evidence.  Amazing.

5 hours ago, hughrection said:

...... and what about the foreign prossies in Pattaya, right there in the windows on walking street. 🙂 

They're "dancers", aren't they?   Are they illegal?

6 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

I believe that white swallows have been observed in Soi Paisanee for several years already.

I have encountered a few spitters over the years.

The occasional cobra also!🤪

5 hours ago, hughrection said:

...... and what about the foreign prossies in Pattaya, right there in the windows on walking street. 🙂 

They're "dancers", aren't they?   Are they illegal?

Believe he has a YT channel, Birding with Nick. He's posted Thailand content in there.

5 hours ago, ronster said:

Would look odd on criminal record that had been charged with twitching

He wasn't.

4 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

well I suggest hire a motor bike , drive around , stop occasionally to look up in the trees   Why would anybody need a guide , the constant talking would scare the birds away

"...the constant talking would scare the birds away".

...but the motorbike wouldn't?

1 hour ago, gk10012001 said:

I see an occasional story of some western expat get ratted out because he swept the floor, or washed some glasses. 

When did you last see that reported and where?

6 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Plenty of American Woodcocks frolicking around in Thailand.

Also dabchicks.

6 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

I dont know why foreign nationals do these illegal work acts.

 

 

Cheap Cheap

9 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

"...the constant talking would scare the birds away".

...but the motorbike wouldn't?

They don't seem to be scared of motorcycles, at least the ones that enjoy perching on the handlebars of mine in order to defecate over clocks do not seem to bothered,   But I take your point

10 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

When did you last see that reported and where?

https://scandasia.com/swedish-man-arrested-for-working-illegally-in-phuket/.

 

Several now and then over the years2

19 minutes ago, BoganInParasite said:

Believe he has a YT channel, Birding with Nick. He's posted Thailand content in there.

he might be doing a bit of "bird" himself if they decide to make an "Eggsample" of him   At least he could keep his youtube channel active and could even use the same name

26 minutes ago, BoganInParasite said:

Believe he has a YT channel, Birding with Nick. He's posted Thailand content in there.

Great method of exposing oneself to immigration while illegally working here.

6 hours ago, quake said:

 

You can even find some African migrating Black Birds in parts of Pattaya. 

 

Shags?

Anything to get the Brits!🤔

I see Bird watcher all the time on Beach road not just Brits!

I have been Bird watching for 25 years in Soi 6 , I honestly had no idea it was illegal

7 hours ago, Card said:

I wonder how foreign bird watchers in Thailand will now get their tours? Dont know of any such tours run by Thais. They may go to other SE Asian countries instead.

They would be eaten faster the my cats can eat them. 

 Best bird watching is around the Nana - Sukhumvit area

8 hours ago, cookie1974 said:

Didnt know Bill Oddie was still around....

Still going strong at 84. Enjoyed watching the Goodies on tv in the distant past.

I’d suspect that birdwatching tours was never considered a Thai tourist attraction. I think TAT should be grateful for Mr Nick for giving them the heads up. Expect the market to be flooded now with businesses offering excursions for twitchers.

I wonder if anyone remembers me?

I know that guy, one of the best birders in the world, hands down. I birded Thailand and SE Asia for about 10 years. He has been guiding in Thailand for as long as I can remember. Along with many others , mostly British, Swedish.  bird guides. He never kept it a secrete, and all the others are operating in the open also. He is (or was) one of the most famous in Thailand. Big international birding tours organized by foreigners would hire him. Looks like the end of the line for him as a guid in Thailand.  

 

 

UPDATE
Police Arrest British Man Over Illegal National Park Tours

 

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod 

 

Tourist police have arrested a 53-year-old British man accused of illegally operating tour programmes and guiding foreign visitors through national parks across Thailand for more than a decade. Authorities said the arrest forms part of a nationwide crackdown aimed at protecting the tourism industry and improving visitor safety during the peak travel period.

 

The suspect, identified by police only as Nicholas, was detained on 18 December 2025 at Suvarnabhumi Airport after he dropped off a group of foreign tourists. He was unable to produce a valid tour operator’s licence or a work permit and was taken into custody before being transferred to Lat Krabang Police Station for further legal proceedings.

 

The arrest followed an order by National Police Chief Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet to intensify enforcement against crimes affecting tourism between 17 and 25 December 2025. Investigators said Nicholas had been operating unlicensed tours in Thailand for more than 10 years, in violation of Thai law, which requires tour businesses to be officially authorised and prohibits foreign nationals from working without proper permits.

 

According to police, the illegal operation caused losses of more than 10 million baht to the Thai tourism industry over the past decade. Officers said the suspect organised tour programmes independently, drove vehicles himself and acted as a tour guide without licensed Thai staff accompanying the groups.

 

Investigations revealed that Nicholas operated a personal website hosted overseas, which allowed foreign tourists to view itineraries and book tour packages online. The website advertised 18-day tours covering five provinces, which had been repeatedly offered over many years. The tours were priced at about 100,000 baht per person, excluding airfare, with group sizes typically limited to around 10 participants.

 

Tourist police released images showing the suspect paying entrance fees at Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi province on behalf of his clients. Police said he regularly led groups to national parks including Kaeng Krachan, Khao Yai and Doi Inthanon, often picking up tourists directly from the airport and escorting them throughout the trip.

 

During questioning, the suspect admitted to running the tours for more than 10 years. He reportedly described them as niche trips marketed as informal outings among friends, a strategy police said helped him avoid suspicion and detection for an extended period.

 

Khoasod reported that authorities have charged Nicholas with operating a tour business without authorisation and working illegally as a foreign national. Police said the case highlights ongoing efforts to enforce tourism regulations and ensure that tour operations comply with Thai law, particularly in environmentally sensitive national park areas.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Thai tourist police arrested a 53-year-old British man for running illegal tours nationwide.

• Police say he operated unlicensed national park tours for over 10 years, causing major losses.

• The suspect faces charges for illegal tour operations and working without a permit.

 

 

 Adapted  by  Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-12-19

 

 

Arrest, beat, charge, fine, imprison, hung, draw, quarter, deport, lifetime ban.

 

That should keep a few of the anti Brit brigade on here happy. 

Britman2 at it watching the birds again i see

Well Nick you got nicked .....