KOH PHANGAN — Swiss hairdresser arrested for operating Oliver Twist salon on Koh Phangan for 9 years with recently expired visa.
On JUne 25, Tourist police officers on Koh Phangan, in collaboration with local administrative officials, arrested Mr. Oliver, a 51-year-old Swiss national, at Oliver Twist Hair salon in Moo 4, Ban Tai Subdistrict, Koh Phangan District, Surat Thani Province. He presented himself as the shop owner and worked as a hairdresser, which is an occupation reserved exclusively for Thai nationals.
Previously, when tourist police received reports of a foreigner working as a hairdresser on Koh Phangan, who allegedly claimed that no police unit dared to arrest him, they conducted further investigations through online channels. They discovered a Facebook page named “Oliver Twist Hair” advertising haircuts and styling services, with text in English stating the shop’s location as “Ko Phangan, Thailand, Surat Thani” and providing a contact number +66 66 010 xxxx.
The Facebook page featured the message: “Welcome to Oliver Twist Hair Art & Academy. Be our guest or become our student! Trend Cut&Color Highlights Color Correction, everything is possible. WeLoveHair”
The page posted images of various hairstyles, focusing on punk and hard rock styles, by hairdresser Oliver, with appointments available through WhatsApp.
Oliver told officials that he worked as the managing director of Oliver Twist Hair Art & Academy company and as a hairdresser at this shop, which has been operating for 9 years. The minimum price for a haircut is 500 baht, with the maximum being around 4,000 baht.
The arresting officers charged him with “being an alien working beyond permitted rights (as a hairdresser).” Upon checking his visa, they found that he had overstayed his NON-90 visa since September 9, 2023. Officials will proceed with his deportation.
______
Relate article:
40 Occupations in Thailand Restricted; Foreigner Hiring Prohibited
