KOH PHANGAN — Tourist police raided two unlicensed hotels on the resort island of Koh Phangan on Tuesday, arresting 12 people including three Spanish nationals, two Thai citizens, an Argentine, a Polish woman, and five Myanmar workers for operating illegal accommodation businesses.
The operations were conducted by Koh Phangan Tourist Police under Pol. Lt. Col. Winich Boonchit, Inspector of Tourist Police Station 5, in coordination with district officials, local police, and Surat Thani Provincial Immigration officers.
First Raid Follows Noise Complaints
The initial raid at 2.30 p.m. at The 10 Club Hostel in Moo 1, Koh Phangan Subdistrict, came after authorities received complaints about illegal operations, unauthorized foreign workers, excessive noise disturbing residents, and suspected nominee arrangements. The establishment primarily catered to Spanish tourists and was in the process of expanding its accommodation facilities.
A 34-year-old Thai woman, Kiitporn, and a 37-year-old Spanish man, Samuel, face charges of jointly operating a hotel without permission. The Spanish man faces additional charges including employing foreigners beyond their authorized work scope, hiring foreigners without work permits, and failing to notify authorities of employment within the required 15-day period.
A 31-year-old Spanish man, Adrian, was charged with working beyond his authorized scope as a clerk, while another Spanish national, Sergio, 30, was arrested for working without a permit.
Five Myanmar workers, aged between 24-42 were charged with working beyond their authorized scope and failing to notify authorities of their employment details within 15 days.
Second Hostel Raided Same Afternoon
At 4:30 p.m., the arrest team inspected Kiko Hostel at 99/78 Moo 1, Koh Phangan Subdistrict, and arrested three additional suspects. Phakorn, 31, a Thai national, was apprehended at a building on Soi Pibulwattana, Rama VI Road in Bangkok. He was charged with operating a hotel business without permission and employing foreigners without work permits.
Two foreign workers at the hostel were also arrested: Natacha, 28, from Argentina, and Kornelia, 21, from Poland. Both were charged with working without work permits. All 12 suspects were handed over to investigators at Koh Phangan Police Station for legal proceedings.
The coordinated raids underscore ongoing efforts by Thai authorities to regulate the tourism industry and crack down on illegal business operations that circumvent licensing requirements and labor laws.
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