Correction
THE photograph of a man initially published with this article was of another Frenchman who has since proven that he has a work permit and all necessary documents. Phuketwan regrets the error, repeated widely through the Thai media, and removed the photograph as soon as the error was pointed out.
Original Report
PHUKET: A Frenchman and a fake Army major general were arrested on Phi Phi today as authorities raided the holiday island in search of illegal foreign workers.
It is believed news of the ''secret'' operation involving the Krabi provincial Labor Office, police and other authorities may have been conveyed in advance to the scores of foreigners who work on Phi Phi in jobs reserved for Thais.
The arrested Frenchman, Ahmed Medhi Hadj, 30, admitted working by selling tours and acting as a guide.
With the Frenchman being questioned amid about 30 officials in plain clothes involved in the raid, a man claiming to be a major general in the Army intervened and attempted to halt the arrest.
However, Yungyut Sorawong, 40, could not produce identification confirming his Army role and was also arrested.
It's alleged that local ''mafia'' control Phi Phi and protect illegal foreign workers.
I love it, they found only one foreigner working illegally in Phi-Phi!
Posted by WhistleBlower on December 26, 2015 20:27