Phuket task force arrests four foreigners for working illegally
Darawan Naknakhon

Chinese national Wen Yong, 29, was caught taking a photo shoot of a couple on Thalang Rd. Photo: Darawan Naknakhon

PHUKET: -- An elite unit of officials tasked with arresting foreigners found working illegally in Phuket arrested four foreigners yesterday (July 27).

Two of the men were arrested leading a tour at Chalong Pier, while the other two were caught working as “pre-wedding” photographers in Phuket Town.

Phuket Labour Office Chief Suthipong Saisakares, who heads the task force, reported that 24-year-old Myanmar national Kun Put and Saingyong Saechen, 24, were arrested at Chalong Pier.

“They were arrested after officials checked Chalong Pier area at 11:30am and found them leading a tour group,” said Mr Suthipong.

Kun Put was allegedly working illegally as a tour guide and working without a permit for tour company Freedom Phuket Co Ltd, Mr Suthipong said.

Saingyong was working for Bing Diving, Mr Suthipong said, but officials reportedly were unable to confirm his nationality.

“Officers spotted Kun Put leading a tour group down the pier. He was holding a company flag and giving a tour to the group. Officers approached the two (Kun Put and Saingyong) and asked to see identification and work permits, which they did not have,” Mr Suthipong said

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-task-force-arrests-four-foreigners-for-working-illegally-58435.php

-- Phuket News 2016-07-28

I feel safe now. Thanks guys!

wonder if they could bring in some new law that made it necessary to have a permit to kill a person while speeding or drunk. they seem to be more efficient at dealing with lack of permits than they do with people using cars to kill.

good to see that there is an "elite unit of officials" whatever that means......

They needed a "task force" to capture these highly dangerous, elusive, criminals! Holy sh#t Batman, Phuket is so much safer.

Elite task force !!WOW!! I will sleep safe in my bed tonight knowing the elite task force are protecting me from these foreign criminals

I've seen this guy taking Chinese wedding pics on NaiHarn beach every sunny day for the past two years. Always thought it was strange how he could communicate so well with the visitors. Mystery solved.

.....elite......wow....

....elite informers too I guess....???

Foreign......

Hard to say whether they are taking jobs away from Thai people! Are there Thai photographers with Chinese language skills available?

Is good to see that with all the 'safe zones' resources are available to ensure these law breakers can be brought to book

"ELITE" ????? I think my little Johnny can do that task with extreme ease.??

Hard to say whether they are taking jobs away from Thai people! Are there Thai photographers with Chinese language skills available?

look up the definition of work in thailand. says it is exerting effort, is so broad it can mean anything. also pretty sure photography is an occupation reserved for thais.

Cops feeding on the low hanging fruit again .Afraid to go after the employers they might be people of influence.

If exerting effort" means work, well then all foreigners potentially could be arrested without possessing a work permit. Meaning at any time, whatever plans you have made in the country, or whatever investment or family commitments you may have, then this could be abruptly cut short by the will of the authorities. Therefore, one has to consider, if having a footprint at all in Thailand is plausible for any foreigner, given they could be arrested, and deported at any time?

If exerting effort" means work, well then all foreigners potentially could be arrested without possessing a work permit. Meaning at any time, whatever plans you have made in the country, or whatever investment or family commitments you may have, then this could be abruptly cut short by the will of the authorities. Therefore, one has to consider, if having a footprint at all in Thailand is plausible for any foreigner, given they could be arrested, and deported at any time?

exactly right. if you play everything right. rent your condo, dont do any work, dont date any thai girls life will probably go smothly. it is always good to have an exit plan just incase things do go bad. best preparation is to rent everything here and be prepared to walk away from anything you have here. once i sell my pick up i will be in the position to step on a plane at a couple days notice.