Hong Kong man arrested in Phuket for illegal tour operations

A 31 year old man from Hong Kong has been apprehended in the tourist hotspot of Phuket. The arrest occurred in a car park close to the iconic Phuket Big Buddha, officially known as Phra Phutta Ming Mongkol Eknakakiri, on Nakkerd Hill in the Mueang district’s Karon Subdistrict, yesterday around 5pm.

The local tourist police disclosed that Wong Tsz Kin has been accused of illegally operating a tour company and working as a tour guide without the necessary licence. Additionally, he is also charged with being a foreign national engaging in work without obtaining the requisite work permit.

As per the police, Wong had been marketing tour packages to Chinese tourists via the Internet. Upon arrival of these tourists, he would personally fetch them in a car and play the role of a tour guide, escorting them to various attractions across the island.

Following his arrest, Wong was handed over to investigators at Karon Police Station for further legal procedures, reported Bangkok Post.

The police statement read, ” Wong was charged with working as a tour guide without a tour guide licence, illegally running a tour company, and being a foreign national working without a work permit.

“According to police, the suspect had sold tour packages to Chinese tourists online. When they arrived, he drove a car to pick them up and worked as a tour guide, taking them to tourist attractions on the island.”

In related news, police recently apprehended a female doctor operating an illicit beauty clinic in Koh Samui, offering dangerous treatments including blood platelet injections. The raid, conducted at 10am on March 13, found unregistered medications and controlled substances on the premises while services were being rendered.

The Immigration Bureau, along with police forces, revealed that the clandestine beauty clinic, offering various unauthorised medical treatments, was run by a foreign national. The investigation, prompted by tips, led to the discovery of the operation in Bophut, Koh Samui.