Seoul searching! Tourist Police nab fake South Korean tour guide
A South Korean man found himself in hot water with the Tourist Police after allegedly masquerading as a tour guide without the necessary paperwork.
Police clocked him on Wednesday, March 5, shepherding a group of international holidaymakers through a bustling local market, where he was seen snapping up tickets and handing out local information. But there was a catch: he was doing it all without an official guide in sight.
The Tourist Police tailed the suspect for a solid hour before swooping in. A quick check of his ID exposed him as a South Korean national lacking a guide’s licence—a perk exclusive only to Thai citizens.
It’s essential to note that foreigners are barred from securing work permits in this post, although they can navigate administrative waters within tour companies.
Now he’s on the hook for a slew of charges, including operating a tour business without legal approval, acting as a tour guide without a licence, and working as a foreigner without a permit, reported Pattaya News.
After having his rights read and charges proclaimed, the hapless guide rang up his relatives to break the news of his run-in with the law. He was then carted off to Nongprue Police Station for what’s sure to be a bumpy legal ride.
In similar news this week, a major raid on seven karaoke joints in Bangkok’s Khlong San district uncovered 28 illegal migrant workers, police revealed.
The dramatic swoop, led by the Department of Employment under the Ministry of Labour, took place on March 5 after a tip-off about foreign workers operating without proper permits.
Officials discovered 52 migrant workers, 24 had the right paperwork, but 28 were working illegally. Four employers are now facing legal action for hiring undocumented staff.
Employers found employing illegal workers face fines ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 baht (US$300 to US$2,975) per foreign worker. Repeat offenders could face up to one year in prison or fines between 50,000 and 200,000 baht (US$1,490 to US$5,950) per worker, along with a three-year ban on employing foreign workers.
Police vowed to tighten the net on rogue businesses flouting immigration laws.
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