6 Indian tourists detained in Thailand for working illegally as ice-cream sellers

By Hoang Phong May 20, 2023 | 04:00 am PT

Tourists celebrate the Songkran holiday which marks the Thai New Year in Bangkok, Thailand, April 13, 2023. Photo by Reuters

Thai police on Friday arrested six Indian men for overstaying their visas and working illegally as ice-cream sellers in Phatthalung Province.

The arrests came after officers raided a rental house in Tamot District, around 850 kilometers from Bangkok following a tip-off from residents, Thaiger news portal reported.

During the search, police found they had initially entered Thailand with tourist visas.

Some of the men had been living in the country since 2020 while others arrived the previous year.

According to police, they had been earning a living by selling ice cream, and their ice cream vending vans were found at their residence.

They were taken to a local police station for further questioning.

They will face a jail term of up to two years and a fine of up to 20,000 baht ($583) under Thailand’s Section 81 of the Immigration Act.

Thailand, which has witnessed a strong recovery in tourism since late last year, is cracking down on people who overstay their visa and work illegally.