KOH PHANGAN — Thai Authorities have arrested at least eight foreign nationals for illegally operating hotels and restaurants on Koh Phangan, targeting suspected nominee arrangements where foreigners use Thai proxies to control businesses.
The October 15 crackdown, led by Immigration Police alongside Koh Phangan Police, Surat Thani Provincial Police, and Tourist Police, followed complaints from locals about foreign-controlled establishments on the island.
Three Hotels and Restaurants Raided
The operation resulted in arrests of French, German, Israeli, and Myanmar nationals across three locations. At Laplage Resort, French national Jody, 40, faces charges for operating an unlicensed hotel and employing a Myanmar worker illegally.
At Art of Nature Resort & Spa, Israeli national Avi, 60, was found operating under an outdated hotel license listing the property as “Viewpoint” rather than its current name. He faces charges for employing two Myanmar workers beyond permitted rights.
The third raid at Shogun Ramen restaurant revealed German nationals Richard, 35, and Arthur, 38, operating the establishment with one Myanmar employee—notably with no Thai staff whatsoever. Richard faces multiple charges including failure to notify authorities about foreign worker employment, while all three face charges related to illegal work arrangements.
Unlicensed ATV Tour Guides Also Arrested
In a separate operation, Tourist Police arrested five unlicensed tour guides—three Thai and two Myanmar nationals—leading ATV tours along the Thong Nai Pan nature trail. Officers seized 11 ATVs and dune buggies worth millions of baht. The suspects worked for a tourism company registered under a Thai woman whose Israeli husband allegedly runs the operation, which primarily targets Israeli customers through Hebrew signage and mobile applications.
Nominee Investigation Expands
Authorities are expanding investigations into potential nominee structures at these businesses and pursuing charges against employers for hiring foreigners illegally, aligning with the Tourist Police Commissioner’s directive to crack down on illegal foreign business activity in Thailand’s tourism sector.
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