Pattaya police book illegal Russian guide – but not for a tour
Tourist Police in Pattaya arrested a Russian woman at Khao Chi Chan for allegedly working illegally as a tour guide. The arrest took place on Tuesday, January 28, at the parking area of the Khao Chi Chan Buddha engraving site.
Police had observed the woman leading a group of foreign tourists, speaking in a foreign language, without the presence of a licenced tour guide.
After visiting the Buddha engraving site, the woman took the group to Wat Nong Yai in Naklua, where she continued to provide guidance. Upon returning to the minivan, Tourist Police approached her for identification and discovered she was not a licenced Thai tour guide. The minivan driver confirmed that she was managing the tour group alone.
The Russian woman was charged with working without a permit under the Immigration Act of 1979 and acting as a tour guide without a licence according to the Tourism Business and Guide Act. She was subsequently handed over to investigators for further legal action.
Following her arrest, officials issued a public advisory against unlicensed tour guides, emphasising that this profession is restricted for foreigners under Thai law. They highlighted the negative impact such activities have on tourism and the potential safety risks to visitors, reported The Pattaya News.
Tourist Police urged both tourists and tour operators to hire only licenced guides and encouraged the public to report any illegal tour operations. Reports can be made through the Tourist Police hotline at 1155.
Many unlicenced or foreign guides operate in Thailand, often targeting tourists from their home countries. This is common in areas with high numbers of Chinese, Russian, or Korean visitors. Unlicenced guides may lack proper training, leading to inaccurate information about cultural sites, poor service, and even potential safety risks for tourists.
In December last year, reports indicated that the problem of illegal tour guides has worsened, attributed to longer visa-free stays and weak law enforcement, enabling foreigners to illegally operate both tour companies and guide services in major tourism cities.
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