Seven Chinese men were arrested for allegedly working illegally as hairdressers in Bangkok.

The suspects entered Thailand on tourist visas but were reportedly employed at the Sleek Salon in the capital city.

Tourist police raided the establishment on August 8 and found the group cutting hair despite lacking valid work permits.

The tourists were hauled to the police station on a pickup truck to face legal action.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Krittaporn Sangsura of the Tourist Police said: ‘We charged all seven suspects with working without a work permit and engaging in an unauthorised occupation or employment.

‘We informed them of their legal rights through an interpreter before handing them over to the inquiry officer at Sutthisan Police Station for further legal proceedings.'

Under Thai law, haircutting, hairdressing, and beauty treatments are among 27 occupations reserved exclusively for Thai nationals.

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.