The arrests were made during routine patrols at a pier in Koh Kaew, as part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal activities in the region.
The operation, led by Pol Lt Col Jirayut Niyomdet, Superintendent of Marine Police Sub-Division 3, and coordinated by officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), resulted in the arrest of ‘Mr Chetchai’ and ‘Mr Narinthorn’, both of whom were found operating jet-skis without valid licences.
The officers made the arrests after noticing the suspects acting suspiciously while waiting for tourists to board their jet-skis.
Mr Chetchai was found with two green-and-white jet skis, while Mr Narinthorn was found with a yellow-black jet-ski and a green-white jet-ski at the same location.
Both suspects failed to produce registration documents for the jet-skis, leading to both of them being charged with “using a boat without a licence” under the Thai Navigation Act.
During questioning, both suspects admitted that the jet-skis had not been properly licensed, but they intended to use them to provide tourist services.
Both men were taken to Phuket City Police Station to face further legal action.