A Chinese national was arrested for giving illegal tours at Thailand's Grand Palace and temple.

Yue Liu, 31, reportedly offered luxury sightseeing trips to tourists at the Wat Phra Kaew temple and the Grand Palace in Bangkok.

Police said customers booked his services via the WeChat messaging application, and he would drive them around in a car around the historic sites, despite foreigners being barred from working as tour guides in Thailand.

Officers arrested him on May 6 as authorities cracked down on illegal foreign workers in the country. He was charged with 'being a foreigner working without a work permit' and 'operating a tour business without a licence'.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyapong Bukhunthot of the Tourist Police said: 'The investigation team monitored him until we could confirm that he violated the Tourism Business and Guide Act. He was then arrested and handed over to the inquiry officer of Chana Songkhram Police Station for further legal action.'

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.