PHUKET - Immigration authorities have revoked their visas and blacklisted a French couple after a video of them engaging in explicit sexual activity on a public tuk-tuk sparked widespread outrage online.
Their conduct was deemed inappropriate and damaging to the image of a world class tourist destination.
The action followed widespread criticism on social media after images circulated of a foreign couple engaging in explicit sexual activity on a tuk-tuk travelling along the Kathu–Patong road in Phuket on Jan 30.
Officials said their behaviour showed a clear disregard for Thai law and public morals, and caused reputational harm to Phuket’s tourism sector. Local police and tourist police subsequently tracked down and arrested "Mr Wesley" and "Ms Valen", both French nationals. Their full names were not released.
They were charged with committing an obscene act in public by exposing their bodies or engaging in lewd behaviour in the presence of the public.
The pair were handed over to investigators and fined 5,000 baht each. Both paid their fine.
After reviewing the case, officials concluded their conduct constituted grounds for revoking the right to remain temporarily in the kingdom. The Immigration Division 6 commander approved the revocation of their visas.
On Monday, officers from the Phuket Immigration Office carried out follow-up operations after identifying the whereabouts of the two foreigners. One team located Mr Wesley at a hotel in Thalang district, while another team found Ms Valen at a hotel in Muang district.
Both were escorted to the Phuket Immigration Office, where officials formally served the visa revocation orders. The couple were subsequently placed on the immigration blacklist and will be deported in accordance with the law.
Immigration officials said the operation was in line with the Immigration Bureau’s strict policy to prevent and suppress offences committed by foreign nationals in Thailand, including transnational crime, illegal employment, call-centre scams and the use of nominee company structures.
Pol Col Khemchat Watthanaphakasem, chief of Phuket Immigration, said the agency would continue rigorous screening and enforcement measures to identify individuals who pose a risk to society, in order to maintain public safety and ensure confidence among residents and law-abiding foreign tourists visiting Phuket.
A French woman, Ms Valen, is arrested at a hotel in Muang district of Phuket. She and her compatriot have been fined 5,000 baht each and their visas revoked over their sex show on a tuk-tuk in Phuket. (Photo: Achadthaya Chuenniran)
