A South Korean national found himself in legal trouble after allegedly operating as an unlicensed tour guide in Thailand. The Tourist Police apprehended him on March 5 as he led a group of international tourists through a bustling local market, purchasing tickets and providing local insights—all without the required credentials.
Authorities trailed the man for an hour before intervening. A routine ID check confirmed that he lacked a valid tour guide license, which is strictly reserved for Thai citizens. Under Thai law, foreigners are prohibited from obtaining work permits for tour guiding, though they may hold administrative roles within tour companies.
The suspect now faces multiple charges, including running an unauthorized tour business, working without a guide license, and being employed illegally as a foreigner. Following his arrest, he contacted relatives to inform them of his situation before being transferred to Nongprue Police Station for further legal proceedings.
Crackdown on Illegal Workers in Bangkok
In a separate operation on the same day, a major raid on seven karaoke establishments in Bangkok’s Khlong San district uncovered 28 undocumented migrant workers. The crackdown, spearheaded by the Department of Employment under the Ministry of Labour, followed a tip-off about businesses hiring illegal labor.
Officials screened a total of 52 migrant workers—24 had proper documentation, while 28 were found working without legal permits. As a result, four employers now face legal action for hiring unauthorized workers.
Thai labor laws impose strict penalties on those employing illegal workers, with fines ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 baht (US$300 to US$2,975) per worker. Repeat offenses can lead to imprisonment of up to one year, fines between 50,000 and 200,000 baht (US$1,490 to US$5,950) per worker, and a three-year employment ban on foreign workers.
Authorities have vowed to intensify their efforts to enforce immigration and labor laws, ensuring businesses comply with legal regulations.
