KOH PHANGAN — Local authorities have shut down two illegal daycares run by foreign nationals on Koh Phangan, police said on April 4.
The first location, a house in Moo 7, Koh Phangan, was found caring for 13 young children from foreign families. Israeli nationals Tahel Cherone Edri, 34, the owner, and Rotem Mitrany, 45, a teacher, along with Myanmar staff member Hsu Sanda Pyae Sone, 28, were arrested. They face charges including running a childcare business without a license and failing to report foreign employees to authorities.
The second raid, also in Moo 7, uncovered a daycare with 10 children aged 2–5. Owner Anat Vekstein Kimiagar, 40, and local teacher Kulthida, 28, were charged with operating an unlicensed childcare facility. All suspects have been handed over to Koh Phangan police for further legal action.
Authorities said the raids follow previous crackdowns on illegal foreign-run daycares on the island, including cases in March 2024 involving an American woman and another Israeli man operating unlicensed childcare services.
Officials stressed that unlicensed daycares pose risks to children’s safety and that strict measures will continue to enforce the law.
