The woman, named by police only as ‘Ms Krokaleva’, 26, was arrested at Soi Romanee in the Phuket Old Town area, confirmed a Tourist Police report yesterday (Oct 31).
The report explained that the arrest was in line with Prime Minister’s policy for authorities in Phuket to intensify their crackdown on illegal tour guides and foreign nationals working unlawfully in Thailand, aiming to protect jobs for local citizens.
The Minister of Tourism and Sports and Pol Lt Gen Saksira Pueak-am, head of the Tourist Police Bureau, ordered increased coordination between the Tourist Police and the Department of Tourism to enforce stricter measures against foreign nationals violating Thai employment and tourism laws, the report added.
In response, Pol Lt Col Ekkachai Siri, Senior Inspector of Tourist Police Station 1, Division 2, in Phuket, and Pol Lt Col Chananarong Rotthongdee of the Tourist Police Bureau 3, along with officials from the Tourist Business and Guide Registration Office, conducted inspections across popular tourist areas in Phuket.
During the operation, they apprehended 26-year-old Russian national Ms Krokaleva, on charges of conducting illegal tour guide activities.
Ms Krokaleva is accused of working as a tour guide without the required licence and working without a valid permit, both in violation of Thai law under the Tourism Business and Tour Guide Act and the Decree on Alien Employment.
Ms Krokaleva was taken to Phuket City Police Station for legal proceedings, the report confirmed.
The arrest of Mr Krokaleva follows that of a Chinese national working as an illegal guide on Soi Romanee just over two weeks ago.