KOH PHANGAN — Tourist Police uncovered an illegal tobacco operation at a Koh Phangan resort on Tuesday, where a Serbian-Thai management team was caught selling untaxed cigarettes and e-cigarettes sourced from Bulgaria.
Following reports of illegal tobacco sales near a school, Tourist Police conducted a raid at a hotel in Moo 1, Ban Tai, Koh Phangan, Surat Thani province on February 11 at 6:30 p.m. Officers discovered various brands of cigarettes and e-cigarettes not legally distributed in Thailand being advertised at the hotel’s bar.
During the operation, Thai national Pakorn, the assistant manager, and Serbian national Ivan, the hotel manager, were questioned. The investigation led to the seizure of multiple pieces of evidence. Both suspects admitted to purchasing the tobacco products from a Bulgarian contact for 20,000 baht ($585), selling e-cigarettes for 600 baht ($17.5) each and regular cigarettes for 100 baht ($2.9) per pack, splitting the profits equally.
The case took another turn when officers arrested a British national named Ashley, who was found working at the hotel’s reception without a work permit. She admitted to working in exchange for accommodation and meals while on a tourist visa, having been hired by Ivan.
Both managers face charges related to the possession and sale of untaxed goods without customs clearance which carries a penalty of up to five years imprisonment, or a fine of four times the value of the goods including customs duties, or both. Ashley, who was found working on a tourist visa, faces a maximum fine of 50,000 baht and deportation to her country of origin.
The operation was carried out under the direction of Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phuek-am, Commander of the Tourist Police Bureau, as part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal foreign business operations and various forms of transnational crime in Thailand.
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