The issue came to the fore when a video 23 seconds long was posted online, evoking comments lambasting foreigners for “stealing jobs from Thais”:
One person noted, “The tour sales profession has been taken away by foreigners. Please ask the page to tell the relevant agencies to help investigate. There are a lot of them in Kata and Karon!”
Tourist Police led by Pol Lt Col Ekkachai Siri today (Oct 10) visited the kiosk, located on Patak Rd near Wat Karon.Joining the visit were officers from the Karon Police and the Tourism and Guide Business Registration Office Southern Region 2.
The Russian man, named by police only as “Mr Bordan”, was questioned.
Phuket Tourist Police confirmed that Mr Bordan has a valid work permit issued by the Phuket Provincial Employment Office on April 2, allowing him to work for Thai Dream Co Ltd as a “manager and coordinator for foreign customers in the tourism business”.
Officers confirmed that Thai Dream Co Ltd, is legally registered and has a tourism business licence
Ms Nusayati, a 20-year-old Thai national, was working as a salesperson at the time, Phuket Tourist Police said in their report.
“All relevant individuals were asked to come to Karon Police Station for clarification,” the brief report added.
“Officers will coordinate with the Phuket Provincial Employment Office to clarify the scope of work for the foreign workers involved. If any violations are found, legal action will be taken,” the report said.
People who see foreigners possibly engaged in illegal activities can report it to the Tourist Police hotline at 1155, the report concluded.