Pier Pressure: IIlegal boat operator nabbed in Phuket crackdown
A 21 year old Myanmar man found himself in hot water after being arrested at Chalong Pier for running an illegal tourist boat operation. The Marine Police pounced during a routine inspection, uncovering a string of violations that landed him in custody.
The arrest is part of an ongoing clampdown on unlicensed activities in the popular tourist hotspot.
“The Marine Police continue to monitor illegal activities, particularly those involving unlicensed operators in the tourism sector.”
The Burmese, Paii, was charged with working without a valid permit under the Royal Decree on the Management of Foreign Workers, operating a boat with an expired license under the Thai Navigation Act, and failing to hold the required certificates proving his qualifications.
The longtail boat, which was ferrying tourists from Koh Lone to Chalong Pier, was found to have an expired license, which ran out on November 5. When police demanded documentation, Paii reportedly failed to produce a work permit, a valid boat license, or certification of his skills.
The Marine Police hauled him to their Region 3 offices for processing before transferring him to Chalong Police Station for further legal proceedings. Curiously, police have not disclosed whether Paii owned the boat or was employed by someone else, leaving questions about the operation’s larger network unanswered, reported Phuket News.
This arrest underscores the Marine Police’s dedication to protecting tourists and upholding safety regulations. It serves as a stark reminder to operators cutting corners in Phuket’s bustling tourism industry.
In related news, tourists and locals were left stunned on December 4 when a heavily laden tugboat ploughed into six moored tour boats on Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River, sinking one and injuring a woman. The dramatic accident unfolded just before 11am near Krung Thep Bridge in the Bang Kholaem district, as the tug struggled against a strong current while hauling barges filled with sand.
