Russian arrested in Phuket for illegally hawking spa products

PHUKET: A 22-year-old Russian man was arrested by Immigration Police in Patong last night after he was caught attempting to sell spa products to a plainclothes officer.

Immigration officers arrested Russian national Alexander Pushkarer at a shop on the Patong beach road at about 7pm.

“We were informed by one of our officers that a foreigner was working illegally at a shop,” Capt Angkarn Yasanop of Phuket Immigration told the Phuket Gazette.

After watching Mr Pushkarer sell souvenirs, clothes and spa products to tourists, the officers sent in a fellow member dressed in plainclothes to pretend to be a customer.

Once Mr Pushkarer presented himself as a staffer at the store, the plainclothes cop exposed himself as an officer of the law and placed Mr Pushkarer under arrest.

“We asked to see his passport and work permit,” Capt Angkarn said.

“He entered Thailand on a visa-on-arrival on June 23, 2013 and is allowed to stay in the country until July 22, 2013,” he said.

“However, he admitted he did not have a work permit,” Capt Angkarn added.

Mr Pushkarer was taken to Patong Police Station and subsequently charged with working without a work permit.

“After he has been served a fine by the court, he will be handed back to Phuket Immigration. We will transfer him to Bangkok and he will be deported from there,” Capt Angkarn said.

— Orawin Narabal