BANGKOK — Thai tourist police have arrested a British man accused of illegally operating a tour business and leading foreign visitors through national parks across Thailand for more than a decade, authorities said.
The arrest came as part of a nationwide crackdown ordered by National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet to curb crimes affecting the tourism industry and to enhance tourist safety during the peak travel season from December 17 to 25, 2025.
Investigators identified the suspect as Nicholas, 53, a British national, who police say had been running unlicensed tours in Thailand for more than 10 years. Under Thai law, tour operations require official authorization, and foreigners are prohibited from working without a valid work permit. Authorities said the illegal operation caused more than 10 million baht (about $318,270) in losses to the tourism industry over the past decade.
Thai tourist police released an image showing Nicholas, a 53-year-old British man, paying the entrance fee at Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi province on behalf of tour clients.
Police said undercover officers tracked the suspect’s activities and found that he organized tour programs independently, drove vehicles himself and acted as a guide without any licensed Thai staff accompanying the groups.
According to police, the suspect operated a personal website hosted overseas, allowing foreign tourists to access information and book tour packages online. His online platforms advertised 18-day tours covering five provinces, which had been repeatedly offered over many years. The tours were priced at about 100,000 baht ($3,180) per person, excluding airfare, with groups typically limited to about 10 participants.
Thai police question a 53-year-old British man at Lad Krabang Police Station in Bangkok after his arrest at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Dec. 18, 2025. He is suspected of illegally operating a tour business in Thailand for more than a decade.
Investigators said he would pick up tourists at the airport and lead trips across Thailand, particularly to national parks such as Kaeng Krachan, Khao Yai and Doi Inthanon.
Officers arrested the suspect on December 18 at Suvarnabhumi Airport after he dropped off a group of tourists. He was unable to produce a tour operator’s license or a valid work permit and was charged with operating a tour business without authorization and working illegally as a foreign national. He was transferred to Lat Krabang police station for further legal proceedings.
Source: Khaosod English