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Russian Guide Busted in Chalong Bay for Illegal Tours, Stealing Thai Jobs

Russian Guide Busted in Chalong Bay for Illegal Tours, Stealing Thai Jobs

Khaosod•Society•24d ago

Reader Briefing

Phuket tourist police arrested an illegal Russian tour guide for operating boat trips and competing with Thai businesses in Chalong Bay.

  • •Phuket Tourist Police, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, apprehended a Russian national for illegally operating as a tour guide.
  • •The arrest occurred mid-sea in Chalong Bay, Phuket, where the Russian was found leading foreign tourists on a fishing trip.
  • •The individual was reportedly selling tour packages via Telegram and was operating without a license, infringing on Thai professionals' livelihoods.
  • •Authorities are proposing visa revocation and deportation for the arrested individual after legal proceedings.

Overview

  • •On May 6, 2026, Phuket Tourist Police conducted an operation at Chalong Bay.
  • •Phuket Tourist Police and the Registrar of Tourism Businesses apprehended a Russian national at sea.
  • •The Russian national was suspected of operating a tourism business without a permit and competing with Thai nationals.
  • •A sting operation involved an undercover agent purchasing a fishing tour package for 3,000 THB per person.
  • •The Russian was apprehended while acting as a guide for six foreign tourists on a fishing trip.
  • •The operation was initiated following intelligence received via the hotline 1155 about foreigners advertising tour packages on Telegram.
  • •Commander of the Tourist Police, Pol. Lt. Gen. Sakyasira Phaokham, emphasized strict enforcement against foreigners taking reserved jobs from Thai nationals.
  • •Authorities will propose the revocation of the individual's visa and deportation after criminal proceedings are concluded.

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Key Entities

Person

Illegal Russian Guide(ไกด์รัสเซียเถื่อน)
An individual apprehended for illegally operating as a tour guide and selling tour packages without a license in Phuket.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Sakyasira Phaokham(พล.ต.ท.ศักย์ศิรา เผือกอ่ำ)
The Commander of the Tourist Police who instructed strict action against foreigners illegally taking reserved jobs from Thai nationals.
Pol. Lt. Col. Ekkachai Siri(พ.ต.ท.เอกชัย ศิริ)
The Superintendent of the Phuket Tourist Police Station who provided details about the operation and the charges filed.

Place

Chalong Bay(อ่าวฉลอง)ℹ️
The location in Phuket where an illegal Russian tour guide was apprehended while leading foreign tourists.

Organization

Phuket Tourist Police(ตำรวจท่องเที่ยวภูเก็ต)
The law enforcement agency that conducted the operation to arrest an illegal Russian tour guide in Chalong Bay.
Registrar of Tourism Businesses(นายทะเบียนธุรกิจนำเที่ยว)
An official body that collaborated with the Phuket Tourist Police in apprehending the illegal Russian tour guide.
Department of Tourism(กรมการท่องเที่ยว)
A government department involved in regulating tourism businesses and collaborating with police to enforce tourism laws.
Telegram(เทเลแกรม)ℹ️
The messaging application used by illegal tour operators to advertise and sell tour packages.

Law

Tourism and Guide Business Act(พ.ร.บ.ธุรกิจนำเที่ยวและมัคคุเทศก์)
The legislation under which the Russian national was charged for operating a tourism business and acting as a guide without a license.
Royal Decree on the Management of Foreigners' Working Conditions B.E. 2017 (2017)(พ.ร.ก.การบริหารจัดการการทำงานของคนต่างด้าว พ.ศ. 2017)
The decree under which the arrested individual was charged for working outside the scope of their permitted rights.