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Destination Thailand VisaNew today
UK and Spanish diving instructors arrested on Koh Tao for working locally on Destination Thailand Visas
Recent immigration raids in the southern islands signal strict enforcement of the new digital nomad visa's "no local work" condition, coinciding with a nationwide surge in labor arrests and new deportation rules.
VMVisa Manager Desk31 Aug 2026✓ Verified 31 Aug 20262 min read4 sources
The short version
Immigration officials arrested UK and Spanish nationals on Koh Tao for working as dive instructors while holding the new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
Thai authorities report a 32% increase in arrests of foreigners working in restricted occupations, totaling over 1,000 recent apprehensions.
New deportation regulations took effect on August 28, mandating expulsion for foreigners who violate Thai labor laws or public order.
Immigration authorities raided businesses on Koh Tao this week, arresting UK and Spanish nationals working as diving instructors while holding the newly introduced Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
The arrests highlight a broader, nationwide crackdown on illegal foreign labor. According to the government's Anti-Fake News Center, authorities have reported a 32.7% increase in arrests of foreign nationals working in occupations legally reserved for Thai citizens, with 1,053 individuals apprehended recently.
What this means for DTV holders
IllustrationAI illustration (gemini-3-pro-image)
The DTV was launched to attract remote workers and digital nomads, but it strictly prohibits employment with Thai companies or working in local, customer-facing roles. The Koh Tao arrests serve as a concrete warning that immigration officials are actively monitoring how the new visa is being used on the ground.
If you are currently in Thailand on a DTV, or planning to apply for one, keep these operational boundaries in mind:
No local employment: You cannot use the DTV to work for a Thai employer, including cash-in-hand jobs like dive instruction, tour guiding, or salon work.
Reserved occupations: Many jobs are strictly reserved for Thai nationals by law. Engaging in these trades will trigger immediate legal action.
Offshore income only: Your clients and revenue streams must remain outside of Thailand.
New deportation rules now in effect
The stakes for violating visa conditions have just increased. On August 28, new regulations governing the deportation of foreign nationals officially took effect after being published in the Royal Gazette.
Signed by Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the order outlines specific offenses that will trigger the deportation of foreigners who violate Thai laws or disrupt public order, according to reports by The Thaiger and Thai PBS.
Expats and relocators must ensure their income sources remain strictly offshore while on the DTV. If you intend to work locally, you must secure a standard Non-Immigrant B visa and a valid work permit.
Why it matters
DTV holders must ensure their work remains strictly remote and offshore, as local employment on this visa now carries a high risk of arrest and immediate deportation under newly enacted laws.
How we cover this: we monitor official Thai government sources and Thai & English press, cross-check every claim, and link the originals. Updated as it happens.
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Immigration Koh Tao raids see UK and Spanish diving instructors arrested for working on DTV visas · 26 Aug 2026
Foreigners on the new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) have been arrested in Koh Tao for working locally, signaling strict enforcement of the visa's 'no local work' rule.
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