The arrest was carried out at about 5pm on Thursday (Mar 12) in waters off Mai Khao, at the northern end of the island, during a joint operation by Phuket Marine Police, Phuket Tourist Police and officers from the Department of Tourism.
According to officials, the operation followed five months of surveillance and evidence gathering into a group of German nationals suspected of operating an illegal tour business targeting foreign tourists.
Investigators said the group allegedly used a boat rental company as a front while secretly marketing high-priced sailing tours to German customers through social media and websites.
Authorities eventually located the yacht operating in Phuket waters and moved in to inspect the vessel.
Officers found a German man acting as the captain of the boat and six German tourists on board.
Initial checks revealed that the vessel belonged to a company registered as a boat rental service, but investigators determined that it was being used to conduct organised tour packages for foreign tourists without the required licence.
According to police, the tourists told officers they had booked the trip through a website and paid the full cost in advance to the company organising the cruise.
The package was advertised as an “11-day sailing tour in the Andaman Sea”, officials said.
However, investigators found that the tour organiser and the associated company did not hold a valid tour operator licence, making the operation illegal under Thai law.
Authorities therefore detained those involved and seized evidence to support legal proceedings.
Officials confirmed that those responsible have been charged with operating a tour business without a licence, an offence under the Tour Business and Tourist Guide Act B.E. 2551 (2008).
They also face an additional charge of failing to carry a boat licence on board, in violation of Section 150 of the Thai Maritime Navigation Act B.E. 2535 (1992).
The names of the captain or the boat operating company were not included in the report.
Marine Police said further investigation indicated that other operators in the area may be using similar tactics, including setting up boat rental businesses or placing shares in the names of other people as nominees to conceal illegal tour operations.
Authorities said these businesses then secretly sell tour packages directly to foreign tourists through online platforms while avoiding the legal requirements imposed on licensed Thai tour operators.
Officials noted that such practices undermine legitimate marine tourism businesses that comply with Thai regulations.
Police said investigators are continuing to gather information and evidence in order to identify and arrest other operators engaged in similar illegal tour activities.