KOH PHANGAN — Tourist police have arrested a Lebanese national operating an illegal vehicle rental business on Koh Phangan, just months after he was deported for similar offenses, seizing 12 motorcycles and one car in the operation.
The October 13 arrest came as part of a crackdown ordered by Police Lieutenant General Saky Sira Puek-um, Commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau, targeting foreign nationals committing offenses in tourist areas.
Officers moved in after receiving a complaint about a foreign man illegally running a vehicle rental operation in front of the “Key King” shop in Moo 1, Koh Phangan subdistrict, Surat Thani province.
Police observed Mr. Jon (surname withheld), a 46-year-old Lebanese national, providing rental services to a foreign customer, including refueling and vehicle inspection. He accepted cash payment from a female foreign customer before taking her to a nearby alley to teach her how to ride a motorcycle.
When officers identified themselves and requested documentation, they discovered Mr. Jon held only a TR-60 tourist visa and no work permit.
WhatsApp Operation Targeting Israeli Tourists
During interrogation, Mr. Jon admitted to contacting customers through WhatsApp using the name “Jean,” claiming to represent Key King shop. He rented motorcycles for 250-350 baht ($7-10) per day, primarily to Israeli nationals.
At the shop, Ms. Saichai, who identified herself as the owner, told police she and Mr. Jon were formerly in a relationship but had divorced long ago. She claimed she allowed him to use the space in front of her shop out of sympathy. Mr. Jon allegedly invested 200,000 baht ($6,115) in the business and displayed the shop’s stickers to deceive authorities, though Ms. Saichai insisted she received no profits.
Authorities seized 12 motorcycles and one passenger van, along with one mobile phone as evidence. The motorcycles bore license plates from multiple southern provinces including Surat Thani, Krabi, Phuket, Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Yala.
Previously Deported, Returned on Tourist Visa
A background check revealed Mr. Jon had been arrested on April 20, 2024, for working illegally as a water delivery truck driver. He was subsequently deported from Thailand but returned on a tourist visa and resumed illegal operations.
While being transported to the Koh Phangan Tourist Police Service Unit, Mr. Jon displayed aggressive behavior, showing no remorse or respect for authorities. He laughed at arresting officers, loudly threatened to sue them, and clapped his hands in contempt despite being a repeat offender who had violated the conditions of his deportation.
Police charged Mr. Jon with working without a work permit and operating a business without authorization before transferring him to Koh Phangan Police Station for prosecution.
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