Phuket Tourist Police reported that officers from Investigation Division 2, Tourist Police Bureau 3, led by Pol Lt Col Pittaya Thepmuang, conducted a raid at ONE WAY Big Bike Rental in Kathu on Tuesday (Aug 5)
At the premises, officers found a man who officers identified only as ‘Mr Dinar’ washing motorcycles that were being rented to tourists. When asked to present a valid work permit, Mr Dinar was unable to do so.
Police confirmed that the work in question – involving motorbike rental services – is a type of occupation prohibited to foreigners under Thai law unless specific permission is granted.
Mr Dinar reportedly told officers he was merely washing a motorbike for his friend, a man named Victor, who had also lent him a motorcycle for personal use. However, officers deemed his actions to constitute illegal employment.
Mr Dinar was taken into custody and charged with “being an alien permitted to temporarily reside in the Kingdom of Thailand and engaging in work or employment without permission.”
Mr Dinar’s nationality was not reported.
Tourist Police said further investigations are ongoing to determine whether others may be involved in similar activities.