Phuket Tourist Police announced the arrests yesterday (Apr 3).
Iurii Blazhko, 37, was arrested at the parking area at Laem Phromthep after leading a group of tourists from a van to the popular viewpoint.
He was taken to Chalong Police Station to be charged with working illegally as a a tour guide, which is an occupation reserved for Thais, and for working illegally without a work permit.
Uliia Chetveri, 21, was arrested while leading a tour at the Big Buddha viewpoint. She was taken to Karon Police Station to also be charged with working illegally as a tour guide.
The report by Phuket Tourist Police noted that the ongoing arrests of foreigners follows an order by national Tourist Police Chief Pol Lt Gen Saksira Phueakam for all Tourist Police units throughout the country to mobilise and crack down on illegal tour guides and illegal tour businesses, “especially in provinces that are major tourist areas”.
The arrests of Mr Blazkho and Ms Chetveri follow Phuket Tourist Police arresting a Russian man for working illegally as a tour guide at Pak Phra Beach, beside the Chong Pak Phra Channel, which separates Phuket from the mainland, on Tuesday (Apr 2).