Two more Russians arrested for illegal tour guiding in Phuket

Phuket’s popular tourist spots, Laem Phromthep and Big Buddha viewpoint in Karon, were the scenes of two more arrests involving Russian nationals working unlawfully as tour guides. The Phuket Tourist Police disclosed the arrests yesterday.

A 37 year old man, Iurii Blazhko, was apprehended at the Laem Phromthep parking area. He was observed leading a group of tourists from a van to the famous viewpoint, an activity that is reserved for Thai nationals only. Blazhko was subsequently escorted to Chalong Police Station where he was charged with working illegally as a tour guide and operating without a work permit.

Meanwhile, 21 year old Uliia Chetveri was detained while directing a tour at the Big Buddha viewpoint. Like Blazhko, she was taken to Karon Police Station to be charged with working illegally as a tour guide.

The Phuket Tourist Police’s report noted that the back-to-back arrests were part of a broader initiative to eliminate illegal tour guides and businesses. The national Tourist Police Chief, Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phueakam, issued an order for all tourist police units across the country to crackdown on these illegal operations, focusing on provinces that are major tourist areas, reported The Phuket News.

These latest arrests come on the heels of another incident where a Russian man was apprehended for illegally guiding tours at Pak Phra Beach, which is located beside the Chong Pak Phra Channel separating Phuket from the mainland. This arrest occurred on April 2.

In related news, a crackdown on illegal tour guides in Phuket led to the arrest of two foreign nationals. Police charged a 35 year old Ukrainian and a 31 year old stateless individual of highland origin, both accused of operating without proper permits.

Phuket Tourist Police, under directives from the National Police Office, has intensified efforts to purge the province of unauthorised tour guides, particularly in major tourist destinations.