Six Foreign Dive Instructors Arrested on Koh Tao Over Alleged Illegal Work

Six foreign nationals, including one British citizen and five Spaniards, have been arrested on Thailand’s Koh Tao after authorities alleged they were working as diving instructors without the required work permits.

The arrests followed an enforcement operation involving Surat Thani Immigration Police, Koh Tao Police and other government agencies targeting businesses on the island.

According to Thai media reports, officers inspected four premises on Koh Tao on August 20, including two diving businesses, as part of an investigation into reports of foreigners allegedly working without the appropriate authorisation.

Six foreign diving instructors were subsequently arrested. Thai reporting identifies the group as one British national and five Spanish nationals.

Authorities allege that the six were using Destination Thailand Visas, commonly known as DTVs, while working as diving instructors for businesses on Koh Tao without the necessary work permits.

The allegations are significant because the DTV was introduced for specific categories of visitors, including digital nomads, remote workers and freelancers, alongside people participating in approved Thai soft-power activities. Official Thai government information describes the visa as a mechanism for workcation, remote work and related activities rather than a general authorisation for local employment.

Authorities investigate dive businesses

Thai authorities reportedly said the operation followed complaints and reports concerning foreigners and migrant workers allegedly undertaking unauthorised employment on Koh Tao, with particular attention given to the island’s diving industry.

The company directors connected with the diving businesses are also reportedly facing investigation over allegations that they employed foreign nationals without the required work permits.

Authorities said they would investigate whether nominee shareholding arrangements were being used to circumvent restrictions governing foreign participation in Thai businesses. At this stage, those allegations remain matters for investigation and should not be treated as established wrongdoing.

The operation was not limited to diving businesses. Officials also inspected a pharmacy and a beauty salon on Koh Tao.

Thai reporting states that a Myanmar national was arrested at the pharmacy after allegedly selling modern medicines and accepting payment without a pharmacist supervising the premises. Two further Myanmar nationals were reportedly arrested at a beauty salon after being found providing nail services despite having authorisation to work in a different occupation.

Koh Tao’s diving industry in focus

The enforcement action comes as Koh Tao continues to position itself as one of Asia’s major diving destinations.

Thai tourism reporting this year has described the island as an international diving hub, with more than 60 dive schools and hundreds of instructors supporting a substantial training industry. Local tourism representatives have also reported strong visitor growth during 2026.

The island’s diving industry relies heavily on an international workforce, making questions surrounding foreign employment and work authorisation particularly relevant to dive operators, instructors and visiting divers.

The arrests therefore highlight an important distinction for foreign dive professionals considering working in Thailand: having legal immigration status does not necessarily mean that a person has permission to undertake local employment.

Thailand’s official visa information states that the DTV is designed for workcation activities involving digital nomads, remote workers, foreign talent and freelancers, as well as specified Thai soft-power activities.

The Thai Ministry of Labour has previously stated that foreigners working in Thailand must hold the appropriate work authorisation and comply with restrictions governing employment. It has also outlined penalties for foreign workers found working without permits or outside the scope of their authorisation, as well as penalties for employers.

Enforcement reportedly continuing

According to the latest Thai reporting, Surat Thani Immigration Police said that 47 foreign nationals had been arrested on Koh Tao between January 1 and August 19, 2026, for alleged offences involving foreign employment, immigration, narcotics and other criminal matters.

The latest operation appears to form part of a wider enforcement campaign rather than an isolated action against the diving industry.

There is currently no indication in the reporting reviewed by The Scuba News that the six arrested instructors have been convicted of the alleged offences. The allegations remain subject to the Thai legal process.

The Scuba News has also been unable to independently verify the individual instructors’ diving qualifications, their employment arrangements with the businesses involved, or whether any of the arrested individuals believed they had valid authorisation to work.

For dive professionals considering employment in Thailand, the incident serves as a reminder that visa status and employment authorisation are separate issues and that appropriate documentation should be confirmed before undertaking paid work.

The Scuba News will update this report if further information is released by Thai authorities or if additional verified details concerning the case become available.