Two Chinese tourists were arrested for illegally working at a costume rental service in Thailand.

The two women reportedly provided makeup services and rented out costumes to holidaymakers visiting the popular Wat Phra Kaew temple in Bangkok.

Police raided their shop on February 27 after a tip-off about foreigners running an allegedly illegal business in the area. They arrested the pair, who were unable to produce valid work permits.

The shop owner was also detained for hiring foreigners without permits.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Suriya Phuangsombat of Immigration Division 1 said: ‘The suspects were handed over to the Royal Palace Police Station for further questioning.'

Under Thailand's Foreign Employment Act, tourists are banned from working in dozens of occupations including tour guiding, labour work, agriculture, and hairdressing. They are also prohibited from working in the country without a valid permit.

Violators may be fined 5,000 to 50,000 THB (120 to 1,200 GBP) and may face deportation to their home country. They will also be banned from seeking a Thai work permit for two years.

While Thai employers may be fined between 10,000 and 100,000 baht per illegal employee.  Repeat violators face up to one year in jail, a steeper fine of 50,000 to 200,000 baht per illegal worker, and a three-year ban from hiring foreigners.