Six Chinese and Burmese nationals were arrested for working illegally in Thailand.

Tourist police found the foreigners tending to customers at the Yinhaijinchuan Barber & Salon shop in Bangkok, on January 28.

They arrested two Chinese named Chen Tao, 40, and Yang Bo, 31, and four Burmese named Lai, 18, May, 23, Kai, 23, and Mo, 19, for working as hairdressers - an occupation reserved for Thai natives.

The raid came as Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong ordered police to crack down on law-breaking foreigners 'to build confidence among tourists'.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyapong Bukhunthot of the Tourist Police said: 'We have handed the suspects over to the inquiry officer of the Huai Khwang Police Station for further legal action.'

They faced charges of working in a prohibited occupation. The Burmese staff were charged additionally for illegal entry into Thailand.

Under Thailand's Foreign Employment Act, tourists are banned from working in dozens of occupations including tour guiding, labour work, agriculture, and hairdressing.

Violators may be fined 5,000 to 50,000 THB and may face deportation to their home country. They will also be banned from seeking a Thai work permit for two years.