Phuket Immigration and PLTO launched their crackdown on Monday (Sept 11), the first working day after Phuket Immigration Chief Col Thanet Sukchai and PLTO Chief Adcha Buachan joined Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Sermphan Sirikiong at a press conference addressing concerns about rising criminal activities and illegal business activities among newly arrived Russian nationals on the island.
Foreign business checks
On Monday (Sept 11), Phuket Immigration officers visited the premises of Art Detailing Phuket Co., Ltd. on Chao Fa East Road in tambon Wichit.
Led by Lt Col Rangsinan Chanphet, the team conducted the raid following a complaint about an illegally working Russian national, as stated in the report posted by Phuket Immigration on Facebook.
Art Detailing Phuket presents itself as a branch of Russia-based firm Art Detailing Spb and claims to “have been providing car detailing services in Phuket for several years”, according to its website.
However, the Thai company, Art Detailing Phuket Co., Ltd., was registered only on May 1, 2023, according to the Department of Business Development. The company’s registered capital is stated as B2 million, enough for one work permit for a foreign national.
"Phuket Provincial Immigration officers inspected Art Detailing Phuket Co., Ltd. following a tip-off that a Russian national was working there illegally. The inspection revealed that the said foreigner had a valid work permit issued according to the law," Phuket Immigration stated in the report.
On Tuesday (Sept 12), Lt Col Rangsinan led officers to inspect another vehicle-related Russian business in Wichit, this time located opposite Makro on Wichit Songkram Road. The raid also followed a tip-off, as reported by Phuket Immigration.
During the inspection, officials checked the premises of Motorbike Sharing Co., Ltd., established on June 29, 2023, with registered capital of B4 million. Also registered at the same address was It Easy International Co., Ltd., a property business registered in 2013 with capital of B5 million.
At the premises, officials found one Thai employee and four foreigners from Russia and Kazakhstan, with the Russians all sharing the same family name.
Two Russians had Non-B visas allowing employment, while the third had a student visa. The man from Kazakhstan had a Non-B visa. Phuket Immigration reported finding no employment-related violations.
One of the Russians with a Non-B visa was charged with not registering foreign tenants as prescribed by the Immigration Act of 1979 and "recommended to strictly follow the Immigration Act of 1979 and other relevant laws."
Phuket Immigration supplemented both reports with copies of the Sept 9 announcement encouraging Phuket residents to report "bad foreigners" via the Traffy Fondue app, the 096-0365485 hotline, or a newly created Google Form.
Illegal taxi hunt
Demonstrating their efforts to combat illegal work in Phuket public transport, the PLTO reported two checks of local taxis conducted this week.
Officials focused on "investigating the illegal use of private cars for passenger pick-up" (essentially serving as taxis) and other potential violations of provincial taxi regulations. These reports became the first ones since June.
On Monday (Sept 11), a checkpoint was set up near the entrance to Phuket International Airport, a standard location during the active "black taxi hunt" from February through June and the exact location of the last reported check in June.
According to the PLTO’s report, officials found four drivers providing taxi services in vehicles registered for personal use only. Officials did not elaborate on whether any foreigners were among the four.
"The cases have been referred to the PLTO for imposing fines and considering license suspensions for the violators, in accordance with the law," reported the PLTO.
On Thursday (Sept 14), officials set up a checkpoint in Kathu, also in a regular spot near what used to be known as the Thung Thong Police Box.
The inspection led to the apprehension of one driver of a green-plated taxi registered outside of Phuket. The driver would be referred to the PLTO for imposing fines and considering license suspension, according to the report.