Phuket Marine Police and Thailand Police Central Investigation Bureau teams detained 32-year-old Russian national Konstantin on one of the tourist boats off Phuket Island, where he was allegedly working as a guide.
The operation was carried out in the waters around Koh Maprao Island. Konstantin was handed over to Phuket police for legal proceedings.
Authorities found he had no work permit
The action followed a tourist who had joined the boat trip accompanied by Konstantin reporting the matter to police. The tourist alleged that the Russian national had worked as a guide during the trip and threatened him to delete a video showing Konstantin guiding and speaking to the group.

During the detention, authorities found that Konstantin did not have a work permit in Thailand. The official record also noted that he had worked as a tourist guide, a profession that foreigners are prohibited from pursuing in Thailand.

Possible prison sentence, fine and deportation
Konstantin could face up to one year in prison and a substantial fine for illegal employment and carrying out, without authorization, a profession closed to foreigners. He could also face an additional fine and deportation proceedings for working without an official work permit.
However, the suspect was not charged under the provision of Thailand’s Criminal Code concerning threats against another person.