KOH PHANGAN — Thai authorities arrested a Canadian man for illegally running a massage teaching business, charging 3,000 baht ($90) per session. He spoke incoherently and confessed to drug use, leading to additional charges.
On September 6, officials on Koh Phangan, including tourist police, administrative officers, local police, and immigration police, arrested Kyle, a 48-year-old Canadian national, at Kissmoon Village, Moo 2, Koh Phangan Subdistrict, Koh Phangan District, Surat Thani Province. This followed a report that he was illegally offering massage courses to foreigners.
He admitted to officials that he worked as a masseur and taught massage techniques to customers, charging 3,000 baht per course, paid in cash. Customers booked courses through WhatsApp, after which he would arrange massage and teaching sessions.
During questioning, Kyle appeared suspicious, sweating profusely, shaking, and speaking incoherently. Officials searched him and found Type 1 narcotics in the form of clear flakes in a plastic bag in his left pants pocket. He confessed that it was drugs he had received while partying with a friend.
He was charged with “being an alien working beyond permitted rights (massage work)” and “illegally possessing Type 1 narcotics for consumption.” He was handed over to Koh Phangan Police Station investigators along with evidence, including the drugs and the massage bed used for customers.
Currently, Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phuek-am, the Commander of the Tourist Police Bureau, has instructed heads of tourist police stations in tourist areas and nearby regions to intensify efforts to eliminate all forms of criminal activities by foreigners who enter the country to commit crimes. They are to prosecute cases strictly without exception to build confidence among tourists during this high season.
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