The arrest, publicised by Phuket Tourist Police around 7am this morning (Nov 25) took place on Thaweewong Rd, commonly known as Patong Beach Road.
The woman was apprehended for “collecting money on the road or in a public place without permission,” as stated in the police report. While the exact date and time were not specified, pictures indicate it occurred during daylight hours.
Evidence seized from the suspect included dozens of keychains and laminated cards resembling those used by mute people to request donations.
Although police did not explicitly elaborate, it is believed the woman may have been accepting donations in exchange for souvenirs. The cash confiscated from her included at least one B1,000 banknote and one B500 note.
According to the most recent report by Phuket Immigration Bureau, 188 people were arrested in the Phuket Crime-Free campaign from Nov 1, 2022, through Oct 30, 2023.
Out of these immigration-related cases, only 11 had to do with the Foreigners’ Working Management Emergency Decree, as the name of the document is translated by the Department of Employment.
Section 8 of the 2018 Emergency Decree stipulates that "no foreigner shall work without a work permit or work outside of the work which he or she has the right to do."
Section 101 outlines the penalties, stating that "any foreigner who violates Section 8 shall be liable to a fine of B5,000 to B50,000, and upon paying such fine, the foreigner shall be repatriated out of the Kingdom expeditiously."