In a recent development in Thailand, authorities in Surat Thani and Phuket have apprehended two foreign women for unlawfully working as taxi drivers. The incidents occurred separately, with one woman hailing from Norway and the other from Kazakhstan, each facing charges for violating Thai labor laws.
Under Thai legislation, foreigners are prohibited from partaking in professions involving the operation of vehicles, whether mechanically propelled or not, with the exception of international aircraft piloting.
The first arrest took place on March 7, when immigration officials in Surat Thani, in collaboration with the Koh Phangan Police Station, detained a 56-year-old Norwegian national named Ms. Unni. She was caught operating a taxi at Thongsala Pier in Koh Phangan, Surat Thani Province.
Similarly, in Phuket Province, law enforcement officers from the Tha Chatchai Police Station, Immigration Police, and investigators apprehended a 51-year-old woman from Kazakhstan named Mrs. Yekaterina on March 6. She was found driving a taxi in front of a condominium in Mai Khao Subdistrict, Thalang District, Phuket Province.
Prior to their arrests, authorities discovered a Russian-language website advertising various travel services, including shuttle services at Phuket Airport, which they suspected were operated by foreigners. To verify their suspicions, officers arranged for a pickup from the mentioned condominium, where Mrs. Yekaterina willingly drove despite lacking the necessary work permit.
These incidents align with the Thai government’s policy of enhancing surveillance on foreigners engaged in unauthorized employment within the country. Such measures are implemented to bolster security for tourists and support economic growth initiatives, as outlined by the Srettha Thavisin administration.
