The Russian man, named by police as Aleksandr Iskritskii, was arrested at a house in Moo 3, Wichit, at about 9:15am yesterday (May 6).
Involved in the arrest were Phuket Immigration officers along with officers from the Phuket Tourist Police and Wichit Police.
Phuket Immigration reported that they had received a tip-off on Saturday (May 4) that a Russian man was advertising his massage therapy services on Instagram under the name ‘KAMBO’.
An investigation was launched and an officer contacted ‘Kambo’ via Whatapp and arranged a therapy session for the agreed price of US$200 (just over B7,000).
The man, Mr Iskritskii, offered massage therapy services and sold medicinal products similar to herbal medicines combined with service packages. The officer signed up for the Russian-language package.
Police noted that they had the authority to enter and search the house under Section 98 (3) of the ‘Foreigners’ Working Management. Emergency Decree, B.E. 2560 (2017)’. (See here).
In placing Mr Iskritskii under arrest, officers recorded the action with photos and videos. Mr Iskritskii produced a valid passport, but was unable to produce a work permit, police added.
Mr Iskritskii was taken to Wichit Police Station and charged with “being an alien working without permission”.