Russian tour company worker freed after proved legal

PHUKET: The Russian woman arrested for working illegally at a tour counter in Kata last week has been released after her company proved to Phuket police that she was legal.

Natalia Nikiforova, 33, was arrested at the Rus Info Tour Center in Kata last Wednesday for working without a work permit and for illegally entering the country (story here).

Karon Police yesterday confirmed to the Phuket Gazette that they dropped the charges against Ms Nikiforova after they were shown the Russian’s passport, complete with valid visa and permit-to-stay, and her work permit, also current and valid.

The Gazette has received copies of the original documents.

Ms Nikiforova was arrested after she was found without her passport or her work permit on her person when the officers raided the tour counter and requested to see the original documents.

“We are not going to press charges as her employer presented to us her passport and legal work permit,” Lt Ratthapol Deethongon explained.

For the inconvenience, Ms Nikiforova spent a night in a police cell.

However, she may still face legal action.

“We will pass the case file to the public prosecutor, who may still press charges against her for not carrying her passport and her work permit on her person,” Lt Ratthapol added.

— Orawin Narabal