Six foreign women were detained by police in Phuket for working without permits at the Russian-speaking kindergarten Litti Kids in Rawai. The arrests were made during inspections targeting illegal businesses, with authorities warning of fines and possible deportation for those involved. The employer may also face significant penalties and restrictions on hiring foreign staff.

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Officials visited the kindergarten as part of a wider campaign to identify businesses using nominee Thai shareholders to bypass the Foreign Business Act. However, the arrests were made under the Alien Employment Decree, not for ownership violations. Police confirmed the women were unable to present valid work permits during the inspection.

Authorities did not disclose the names or nationalities of the detained workers and the official name of the employing company was withheld. Under Thai law, both employees and employers are liable if foreign staff work without permits. Workers face fines of 5,000 to 50,000 baht and deportation, while employers can be fined 10,000 to 100,000 baht per illegal worker and risk a three-year ban on hiring foreign staff for repeat offences.

The inspection was part of a broader crackdown on foreign-run businesses in Phuket, with Russian-speaking enterprises receiving particular attention. Of eight businesses inspected, at least half were linked to Russian-speaking operators and catered to that market segment. Additional checks related to nominee use were conducted at Seven Home real estate agency in Cherng Talay, CUTANA Rental in Kamala, ThaiGoRent in Karon and an unnamed motorbike rental in Wichit, though no arrests were reported in those cases.

Authorities have repeatedly cited illegal employment and unlicensed business operations as key reasons for tightening migration controls. These measures include stricter enforcement and proposed changes such as limiting visa runs and ending the 60-day visa exemption.

The detained women now face legal proceedings that could result in fines and deportation. Officials confirmed that enforcement efforts will continue across Phuket, with further inspections expected as part of ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with labour and business laws.

Picture courtesy of Phuket Provincial Police

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Adapted by ASEAN Now PhuketInsta 4 Apr 2026

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Looks like the kindergarten forgot the golden rule of doing business in Thailand, either paperwork must be immaculate or the tea must be sufficiently aromatic. Seems someone didn’t brew a strong enough pot this time.

This type of story is not surprising anymore. We’ve recently had threads about unlicensed restaurants, unlicensed clinics, unlicensed hotels, even a five‑star Phuket property running without the proper paperwork.

And every other week there’s another story about foreigners working illegally, from dive instructors to baristas to English teachers.

So six foreign staff at a kindergarten getting rounded up? Just another day in paradise.