Thread: Korean Nabbed as Illegal Phuket Guide Was 'Just Showing Sights' to Friends

PHUKET: A South Korean who claimed to be ''just taking friends sightseeing'' was arrested on Phuket today in a joint sting operation for being an illegal guide.

Immigration officers working with Tourism and Sport for the first time nabbed Byoung Wook Lim, 42, at Chalong pier.



The joint operation probably means that illegal guides in future face deportation, as has been threatened for people abusing Thai-only occupations.

When arrested, Lim denied working as a guide.

Possession of nine pink transport tickets and a sign-on sheet for tourists indicated he was not just taking friends sightseeing to Hey island.

Lim told police he had been employed by Narae Travel Co. Ltd, for two years.

An Immigration officer said Lim had a permit to work as general manager at Narae but was not working in this position when arrested.

Lim did not have permission to work as a tour guide on Phuket.

Major General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, Commander of Songkhla-based Immigration 6, which oversees all southern provinces, authorised today's raid.

Santi Pawai, Director of Phuket Tourism and Sport, confirmed the sting was the first time his department and Immigration had joined forces in an operation to nab an illegal guide.

Lim has lived in Phuket for 18 years and has one daughter at school on the island. More arrests are anticipated.

Korean Nabbed as Illegal Phuket Guide Was 'Just Showing Sights' to Friends - Phuket Wan

Time well spent by the BIB. Beats doing anything about bombings, rapes, murders and all of that messy stuff. Well done lads!

No doubt The Korean would still be a happy chappy if someone hadn't dobbed him in .
High season is coming .. Dog eat dog time for Phuket.

Originally Posted by shaggersback

Dog eat dog time for Phuket.

Well, that will bring in the Koreans.

^ Guide dogs for the hygenically insane ?