TWENTY-TWO Nepalese and Pakistanis allegedly working illegally in Patong have been arrested by officers acting on the orders of Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob. It is believed some were employed as tourist touts.

The arrests took place on June 24 but the men, 20 adults and two underage minors, were each granted bail by Patong police - then rearrested when it was discovered that bail should not have been granted.

The adults, who were all based at retail outlets in Patong, are now in Phuket Prison in Phuket City, awaiting court appearances that are likely to lead to expulsion from Thailand. It is not clear what will happen to the group if they are found guilty.

The governor's action is being seen as an attempt to ensure that more jobs are available for Thais in tourism retail, especially in Patong. One European academic, conducting research in Patong last year, told Phuketwan that she was surprised at the large number of overseas workers in retail businesses in Patong.

Colonel Kittipong Klankeaw of Kathu Police Station, which oversees Patong, told a meeting at Provincial Hall in Phuket City yesterday that the two arrested minors posed special difficulties because their welfare had to be protected and ensured.

Governments in Nepal and Pakistan are likely to be unwilling to pay for repatriation of the group. Some visitors caught working illegally in Thailand have been left to languish in Thai Immigration detention centres for months or even years, embassy officials have told Phuketwan.

As well as the Nepalese and Pakistanis, Phuket Prison holds about another dozen expats, including five Britons, American Ronald Fanelli, who has been accused of the murder of Sweethearts Bar hostess Wanpen Painchai, and French tourist Michael Jerozaiski, who allegedly stole from another traveller's bag at Phuket International Airport earlier this month.

Early release or special pardons for some prisoners has reduced the total number of inmates at Phuket Prison to 1221, including 153 women, jail officials have told Phuketwan.

Of the 153 women, 115 are in jail for drug offences, along with 483 of the males. The prison was built to hold 750 and there are no plans for a new facility.

Phuket's growing youth crime and associated social problems are emphasised by the 1300 minors now being held in detention on the island. Forty-eight have been sent to Surat Thani for treatment for drug addiction.

The Minister for Labor, Chalermchai Sri-On, visited Phuket yesterday for a ''meet the people'' gathering in a Phuket City park. He told the media that unemployment levels in Thailand were running at one percent or less.

He said that Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi benefitted from low-season education designed to give underemployed workers new skills.