PHUKET, THAILAND – An Egyptian man was arrested in Patong after immigration officers found him working illegally as a barber in a shop he allegedly operated.
Evening raid on Patong barber shop
Officers from Phuket Immigration raided the “Hana Barber Shop” on Phra Metta Road in Patong at about 8:30 p.m. on 12 January. The operation had been carefully planned following a specific tip that a foreigner was running the business and cutting hair there. In coordination with the labour office and Patong Police, officials entered the shop and caught the 34-year-old “Mr. Abraham” in the act as he was cutting a foreign customer’s hair, and he did not resist.
Confession after a decade in Thailand
During questioning, the Egyptian national gave detailed information to investigators. He admitted that he had lived on Phuket for ten years and had operated the “Hana Barber Shop” for about two years, while actively working there as a barber. Officials read him his rights and charged him under Section 8 of the Foreign Workers Management Act, which explicitly prohibits foreigners from working as hairdressers.
Protected occupations reserved for Thai nationals
According to the account given, certain professions in Thailand are subject to labour protection rules for locals. These include barbers, massage therapists and market vendors, among others, and the law is intended to ensure Thai workers are not displaced by cheaper foreign labour in traditional and manual trades. For Mr. Abraham, this has resulted in charges for working outside his permitted activity, and he now faces possible fines, deportation and a ban on re-entering Thailand.
Authorities tighten checks on foreign workers
The head of Phuket Immigration, Police Colonel Khemachat Wattananapakasem, said the arrest formed part of ongoing efforts to strictly enforce labour and immigration regulations.
“We will intensify inspections and controls to prevent foreigners from working illegally and displacing Thai workers.”
said Khemachat Wattananapakasem, Phuket Immigration chief. Officials stated that the measures were also aimed at disrupting criminal networks and other illegal activities, in order to strengthen public confidence in safety for Thai citizens and lawful tourists.
Clear warning to illegal workers on the island
Authorities described the arrest as a clear signal to the foreign community in Phuket that they would continue systematic action against illegal employment. After the paperwork was completed, Mr. Abraham was transferred to Patong Police Station, where further legal proceedings were under way. His dream of running his own barber shop under the Thai sun appeared to have come to an abrupt end, with his scissors effectively taken out of his hands for good.