SURAT THANI — Provincial police in Surat Thani launched coordinated raids at 25 locations across the resort island of Koh Phangan, charging 35 people and companies over immigration, labour and nominee business offences, authorities said on 22 January 2026.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of senior police and provincial officials, with Pol. Maj. Gen. Narongrit Dansuwan, deputy commissioner of Region 8 Police, presiding over the launch. About 170 officers took part, drawn from regional and provincial investigation units, local police, immigration police, tourist police and district administrators.
Officers executed court-approved search warrants at 22 restaurants, one clothing and souvenir shop and two hotels across the island, police said.
Those charged included seven Myanmar nationals accused of working outside the scope permitted by law, four Myanmar nationals accused of failing to notify authorities of their employment status within 15 days, and one Myanmar national accused of entering the country illegally.
Police also arrested one suspect for selling controlled herbal products, including cannabis, without permission.
In addition, authorities brought cases against companies over a range of offences, including five firms accused of operating businesses without permission or using Thai nationals as nominees to hold shares on behalf of foreigners. Three cases involved foreign nationals allegedly working beyond their legal rights, while two companies were charged under the Hotel Act.
A further eight companies were accused of employing foreign workers in prohibited roles, and four were charged with failing to notify labour registrars of foreign hires within the required 15-day period, police said.
Authorities said the operation was part of a national plan for 2024–2030 to prevent and suppress transnational crime, focusing on illegal foreign labour, the use of Thai nominees to hold land or operate businesses, and unlicensed work in key tourist destinations to protect public order and local livelihoods.
