KOH PHANGAN — Tourist Police have arrested a Hungarian national who was operating an unauthorized motorcycle rental business on Koh Phangan island, where he allegedly confiscated tourists’ passports as collateral.
The Tourist Police Division on Koh Phangan received complaints from tourists about a foreigner running a motorcycle rental operation from his rented house. The business, advertised as “Lala Agency,” was located in Song Phi Nong Village in Ban Tai subdistrict of Koh Phangan, Surat Thani province.
Investigation revealed that Laszlo, a 38-year-old Hungarian citizen, was indeed operating a motorcycle rental service through a website specializing in motorcycle rentals on Koh Phangan. The suspect personally signed rental agreements and collected cash payments from customers. During his operations, he reportedly seized tourists’ passports and allegedly intimidated customers by displaying a firearm.
Upon learning of the investigation results, Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phueak-am, commander of the Tourist Police, ordered Police Lieutenant Colonel Winit Boonchit of the Tourist Police Division 5 to coordinate with the Koh Phangan Police Station, local administrative authorities, and immigration officers to apprehend the suspect at his residence.
On March 13, the police team arrived at the suspect’s house and found him actively conducting business, collecting daily rental fees of 700 baht from customers while retaining their passports as security. Officers identified themselves and searched the premises, discovering 16 foreign passports.
During questioning, Laszlo admitted to operating the “Lala Agency” rental business, where he personally handled all aspects of the operation including preparing rental agreements, handling cash transactions, cleaning motorcycles, and providing transport services for customers between the pier and his shop.
The Hungarian national was charged with “being a foreigner working beyond permitted rights.” He was handed over to investigators at the Koh Phangan Police Station for legal proceedings. Evidence seized included nine motorcycles, a BB gun with a magazine loaded with pellets, and registration documents for more than 20 motorcycles.
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