Lao Singer Arrested for Illegal Performances in Pathum Thani
Thai immigration police arrested Lao singer MR.JIM, 30, for performing illegally at a food festival in Pathum Thani. He entered on a tourist visa without a work permit and had concerts booked nearly every day through year-end, earning 15,000 baht per show. He faces charges under the Foreign Workers Management Act.
On November 11, 2026, Pol. Lt. Col. Natthakitti Misuk, chief of Pathum Thani Immigration Police, and Pol. Capt. Peeraphat Khlaikhlueng, deputy chief, along with investigation officers, inspected a concert by a Lao artist at the Delicious Food Balloon Fantasy Festival in the Kin Za market parking lot, Rangsit, Prachathipat Subdistrict, Thanyaburi District, Pathum Thani Province.
Acting on a tip that a male Lao national had entered Thailand on a tourist visa without a work permit to perform, and had a schedule of shows almost daily until year-end, police planned the inspection after learning he would perform at the Kin Za market area.
Officers found a Lao man matching the description performing on stage. Identified as MR.JIM (stage name), age 30, Lao nationality. After the show, police checked his passport backstage and confirmed he had no work permit and entered on a tourist visa — a violation of visa conditions. The suspect confessed to all charges and added he was paid 15,000 baht per performance.
Police charged him with "foreign national working without a work permit" under Section 8, punishable under Section 101 of the Foreign Workers Management Act B.E. 2560 (2017) as amended (No. 2) B.E. 2561 (2018), before handing him over to Pratu Nam Chulalongkorn Police Station for further legal proceedings.
