## **2 Brits arrested in an international school raid in Rawai, Phuket, Thailand**
6 November 2020
**Summary:**\
Phuket Immigration raided Palm House International School in Rawai, arresting two British teachers working without permits. They entered Thailand on visa exemptions (30-day stamps) which prohibit employment. The teachers face deportation, while the school owner is under investigation for illegally hiring foreigners. The school claimed it was a "visa misunderstanding" due to COVID disruptions, but sources allege they never applied for work permits and owe teachers unpaid wages. Penalties for such offenses are severe: up to 5 years jail and/or 100,000฿ fines for workers, and up to 1 million฿ fines + 10 years jail for employers per illegal hire.
**Key Legal Point:**\
_It is illegal to begin teaching before physically holding a valid work permit._ Schools only provide supporting documents—the teacher must personally submit the application and ensure its approval. Relying on verbal promises or "processing" claims is risky.
**Commentary on Public Reactions:**
1. **Kurt** rightly calls out the school’s dismissive FB post. Calling illegal employment a "hiccup" downplays serious offenses like tax evasion and wage theft. His skepticism about the school’s integrity is justified.
2. **Malczx7r** highlights enforcement gaps. Despite whistleblowers reporting illegal workers (even via dedicated FB pages), authorities often ignore tips unless raids generate media attention.
3. **Galong’s** "get legal or get out" stance reflects frustrations among compliant expats. Illegal hiring undermines legitimate businesses and creates bureaucratic hurdles for those following the rules.
**Takeaway:** This case exposes systemic issues—schools exploiting loose enforcement, teachers neglecting due diligence, and authorities reacting inconsistently. Prospective teachers must verify their permits _before_ teaching, not after.
[https://www.thephuketnews.com/brits-arrested-in-phuket-international-school-immigration-raid-77900.php](https://www.thephuketnews.com/brits-arrested-in-phuket-international-school-immigration-raid-77900.php)