KRABI, THAILAND – Forty-six foreign extras were arrested at a TV shoot in an abandoned mine in Krabi for working without valid permits, reigniting debate over how international productions follow Thai labor and filming rules.
Raid at abandoned mine film set
Officers from the Krabi Provincial Employment Office searched an abandoned mine in the Thab Prik subdistrict on 12 February, joined by Mueang Krabi Police, border police and immigration officials. The raid took place while the foreign extras were actively working on a television series that was reportedly set in Dubai.
Forty-six foreign workers without permits
A total of 46 foreigners were detained at the scene, including 36 men and 10 women. According to authorities, none of those involved held valid Thai work permits.
Origins of the group and legal penalties
Investigators stated that most of the group came from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq and Morocco. All 46 were charged under the Emergency Decree on Managing the Work of Foreigners, which stipulated fines of between 5,000 and 50,000 baht for unauthorized work, followed by deportation.
Long-term consequences for the extras
In addition to deportation, each arrested foreigner would be barred for two years from applying for a new Thai work permit. Authorities were also examining how the allegations might affect future entry and filming permissions for those involved.
Role of the Thai production company
According to broadcaster Amarin TV, a private Thai company had been responsible for coordinating filming permits with the relevant agencies. However, the company’s official film authorization had already expired on 10 January, more than a month before the raid at the mine.
Potential maximum fines for the employer
The employer now faced significantly harsher sanctions than the extras themselves. The company could be hit with a fine of between 10,000 and 100,000 baht per illegally employed person.
Recurring tensions around foreign shoots
The case reignited discussion about responsibilities and oversight in international film and television productions in Thailand. Industry voices again stressed the importance of strictly complying with labor law and filming conditions.
Earlier incidents involving TV productions
In September, British TV presenter Zara McDermott said she and a BBC documentary team were almost arrested while shooting in a bar, even though they claimed to have applied for all necessary permits.
“We were almost arrested while filming in a bar, even though we had, according to our own statements, applied for all permits.”
said Zara McDermott, British TV presenter.
In another case in Phuket, a foreign crew drew criticism after a team member was filmed at the Black Rock viewpoint in Rawai as they rolled up the national flag.
Attractive but sensitive film location
Despite such clashes, numerous international productions had been completed successfully in Thailand, including The Railway Man, The Hangover Part II, Good Morning Vietnam, Tomorrow Never Dies, The Beach and The Impossible. Industry representatives emphasized that the country remained attractive for global shoots, provided labor law, cultural sensitivities and official regulations were consistently respected.