Hair-raising arrest in Koh Pha Ngan: Swiss stylist snips rules

Police apprehended a 51 year old Swiss hairstylist in Koh Pha Ngan for operating a barbershop without proper authorisation, challenging the local police’s ability to detain him. He was arrested at Oliver Twist Hair in Ban Tai, Koh Pha Ngan, on charges of working illegally in Thailand.

The arrest took place after Police Lieutenant General Saksira Pueak-am, Commander of the Tourist Police, ordered Police Lieutenant Colonel Winit Boonchit and a team of Koh Pha Ngan Tourist Police, in collaboration with local administrative officials, to investigate the matter. The police had received reports of a foreign national unlawfully working as a barber, a profession reserved for Thai citizens.

Further investigation on social media, specifically on www.facebook.com, revealed a fan page for Oliver Twist Hair, advertising hair-cutting and styling services by Oliver Ehrat. Customers could book appointments through the WhatsApp application.

During questioning, Oliver admitted that while he held a permit to work as a Managing Director of Oliver Twist Art Co., Ltd., he had been working as a hairstylist at Oliver Twist Hair, which had been operating for nine years. The charges for haircuts ranged from 500 baht (US$14) to approximately 4,000 baht (US$110), depending on the style, reported KhaoSod.

The police informed Oliver of the charges.

“You are charged with being a foreign national working outside the scope of your permitted occupation (hairstylist).”

Following this, he was taken to Koh Pha Ngan Police Station for legal proceedings.

In related news, Royal Thai Immigration officers, along with relevant agencies, conducted a search operation at a factory in Krathum Baen, Samut Sakhon, following a report from the Damrongdhama Centre about a significant number of illegal immigrant labourers. The operation led to the discovery of over 72 illegal immigrants working at the site.

Among the discovered workers, 45 had no legal documentation or work permits, while 27 Burmese workers had some documentation but lacked work permits. The immigrants admitted to working illegally at the factory and disclosed that they were paid 363 baht (US$10) daily in cash. They revealed that they had been employed there for one month.