Police Raid Illegal Foreign School on Phangan

Judging by the number of nationalities arrested, I can't figure out how Israelis figure into this article. The school was owned by Iranians! Counter-brainwashing?

Just now, unblocktheplanet said:

Judging by the number of nationalities arrested, I can't figure out how Israelis figure into this article. The school was owned by Iranians! Counter-brainwashing?

The original article reported the majority of the children were of Israeli nationality...

Please note in the OP, this was posted:

Adapted by ASEAN Now ThaiRath 3 May 2026, it said this:

Joint forces of officials raided an unlicensed private school on Koh Phangan, which was operating beyond its permitted daycare facility. They found 89 Israeli children among the children.

Just now, couchpotato said:

The original article reported the majority of the children were of Israeli nationality...

So what? That means there must be X numbers of parents for said children on Koh Phangan.

I thought the original article stated there were 89 children in total in the school.

Does this mean all children were Israeli in this Iranian school?!?

Just now, unblocktheplanet said:

So what? That means there must be X numbers of parents for said children on Koh Phangan.

I thought the original article stated there were 89 children in total in the school.

Does this mean all children were Israeli in this Iranian school?!?

You asked a question, and I simply answered it, with info from the original news article a few days ago.. Now you are just being pedantic with your comments.

Just now, unblocktheplanet said:

So what? That means there must be X numbers of parents for said children on Koh Phangan.

I thought the original article stated there were 89 children in total in the school.

Does this mean all children were Israeli in this Iranian school?!?

Read the article, which quotes what the authorities reported.

Yet more off topic deflection. Either discuss the topic or I will just remove your posts.

Comment on moderation removed. @unblocktheplanet

My post was not up for discussion, it was an instruction for you to follow the forum rules. Yet again you choose to ignore the rules.

Not sure why it matters that the foreign owners were Iranian. Might be one of many businesses they own. The Israeli kids and their parents wouldn't necessarily know who the owners were anyway.

Where have all the parents gone?

64,000 Bht per term, so a US$550k+ a year racket. Among the teachers arrested was also an American lady, a French muslim, a black South African lady, a pair of South African newly weds on an extended holiday, and their mum (some interesting family conversations as they sit in clink awaiting their court dates). No Israeli connections among the "teachers" (some of whom were barely qualified). A couple of the teachers appear to have work visas, but not the permits, meaning they were teaching elsewhere, legitimately, and switched. The others had no work visa. 6 teachers, probably on the lower end of the foreign teacher pay in Thailand, because dodgy etc, so $40,000 annual wage bill for the Western teachers, maybe $10-15k for the Myanmar ladies who apparently legged it. Kids probably got a bowl of vegan-friendly rice for lunch, some crayons, pretty minimal overheads.

From their FB page, it does look like a proper school, with sort of New Age Urts as buildings, but the photos of kids playing football etc indicates they've been outside of their licence as essentially a small daycare place since at least 2020, so the claims they were in the process of regularising seem a little convenient.

The Thai Police raided the place while lessons were in session. It looks an extensive set up from the raid video.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/912228355112678

The Iranian couple running it, the Kishipoors/Kishipours; thats a name of Hindu origin, so you can forget about an Iranian-Jewish connection. Prior to the school, for at least 10 years, they did leather crafts in Thailand. Fair to say their 20 year SM trail indicates an intinerant lifestyle, certainly not approved by the Guardians. And those photos show older kids receiving "lessons" which seems to be crosswords and word search puzzles in English, watch the telly; I'm not sure that really constitutes a proper curriculum that would be recognised in Israel. In fact, it looks exactly like what you would teach kids if you weren't actually a qualified teacher.

I wonder about the parents; there's probably 30-40 families involved. Did none of them do their due diligence on the place they dropped their kids off each morning? Or did the Urts and facepainting do it for them? I wonder how many are in Thailand living there on a DTV tourist visa? If you were living in Thailand on a proper visa (work visa/permit, LTR) you are generally not going to be short of funds to pay the 200k+ baht term fees at regular schools.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3248485/89-israeli-children-found-at-illegal-koh-phangan-school

Of course, everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Maybe its just a paperwork mix-up and not a potential child safe guarding issue. Thai reports indicate the authorities are also looking at the money flows; its also possible they have concerns its a money laundering front, but that might be just standard investigatory SOP.

The Kishipours are foolish people. It looks like they had a good life in Thailand. Now that's going to end; a likely fine and deportation, but to where? I doubt they are too enthusiastic about returning to Iran. Possibly they have a second citizenship.

Just now, unblocktheplanet said:

Judging by the number of nationalities arrested, I can't figure out how Israelis figure into this article. The school was owned by Iranians! Counter-brainwashing?

There are a lot of Iranian diaspora, most in self imposed exile since 1979.

Just now, Roadsternut said:

I wonder about the parents; there's probably 30-40 families involved. Did none of them do their due diligence on the place they dropped their kids off each morning? Or did the Urts and facepainting do it for them? I wonder how many are in Thailand living there on a DTV tourist visa?

I wonder how many of the parents have work permits or proper DTV visas. It is fishy for sure. Otherwise why would they leave their kids in a 'day care'

Just now, Roadsternut said:

64,000 Bht per term, so a US$550k+ a year racket

How do you come up with $550,000? 64,000x2=??

Just now, marin said:

How do you come up with $550,000? 64,000x2=??

Three terms a year, autumn, winter, spring. I assume you think of semesters.

64,000 Baht per term (based on the news report, other sources say 68,000). 3 terms a year. 89 children. 17,088,000 Baht per year. Its actually USD525,575 per year, when I am not relying on mental arthmetic, and relying on last months Sterling and USD rates. Feels free to continue with the pedant posts, if that is proving valuable to the thread.

Just now, ronnie50 said:

I wonder how many of the parents have work permits or proper DTV visas. It is fishy for sure. Otherwise why would they leave their kids in a 'day care'

I suspect most are on DTV tourist visas, which is being used as a work permit "on the cheap", allowing specious reasons to remain long term in Thailand.

Just now, Roadsternut said:

I suspect most are on DTV tourist visas, which is being used as a work permit "on the cheap", allowing specious reasons to remain long term in Thailand.

If that's what many are doing, then good reason why Thailand does not allow them to open bank accounts. They're supposed to be working for an overseas employer, hence their remuneration would go into a foreign bank account - which they can always withdraw cash at an ATM here. They don't need a Thai bank account beause they are not being paid by a Thai employer - I guess that's the thinking of BOI and IMM.

Just now, Roadsternut said:

64,000 Bht per term, so a US$550k+ a year racket. Among the teachers arrested was also an American lady, a French muslim, a black South African lady, a pair of South African newly weds on an extended holiday, and their mum (some interesting family conversations as they sit in clink awaiting their court dates). No Israeli connections among the "teachers" (some of whom were barely qualified). A couple of the teachers appear to have work visas, but not the permits, meaning they were teaching elsewhere, legitimately, and switched. The others had no work visa. 6 teachers, probably on the lower end of the foreign teacher pay in Thailand, because dodgy etc, so $40,000 annual wage bill for the Western teachers, maybe $10-15k for the Myanmar ladies who apparently legged it. Kids probably got a bowl of vegan-friendly rice for lunch, some crayons, pretty minimal overheads.

From their FB page, it does look like a proper school, with sort of New Age Urts as buildings, but the photos of kids playing football etc indicates they've been outside of their licence as essentially a small daycare place since at least 2020, so the claims they were in the process of regularising seem a little convenient.

The Thai Police raided the place while lessons were in session. It looks an extensive set up from the raid video.

The Iranian couple running it, the Kishipoors/Kishipours; thats a name of Hindu origin, so you can forget about an Iranian-Jewish connection. Prior to the school, for at least 10 years, they did leather crafts in Thailand. Fair to say their 20 year SM trail indicates an intinerant lifestyle, certainly not approved by the Guardians. And those photos show older kids receiving "lessons" which seems to be crosswords and word search puzzles in English, watch the telly; I'm not sure that really constitutes a proper curriculum that would be recognised in Israel. In fact, it looks exactly like what you would teach kids if you weren't actually a qualified teacher.

I wonder about the parents; there's probably 30-40 families involved. Did none of them do their due diligence on the place they dropped their kids off each morning? Or did the Urts and facepainting do it for them? I wonder how many are in Thailand living there on a DTV tourist visa? If you were living in Thailand on a proper visa (work visa/permit, LTR) you are generally not going to be short of funds to pay the 200k+ baht term fees at regular schools.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3248485/89-israeli-children-found-at-illegal-koh-phangan-school

Of course, everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Maybe its just a paperwork mix-up and not a potential child safe guarding issue. Thai reports indicate the authorities are also looking at the money flows; its also possible they have concerns its a money laundering front, but that might be just standard investigatory SOP.

The Kishipours are foolish people. It looks like they had a good life in Thailand. Now that's going to end; a likely fine and deportation, but to where? I doubt they are too enthusiastic about returning to Iran. Possibly they have a second citizenship.

I, too, thought Kishipoor an Indian surname but... [Ancestry.com} Yes, Kishipour (or its variant spelling Kishipoor) is an authentic Persian surname.

The name follows a traditional Iranian construction combining a base name with a common patronymic suffix:[1, 2, 3]

• -pour / -poor: A classic Persian suffix (pronounced pur) meaning "son of" or "descendant of".

• Kishi: While less common as a standalone name, it appears in various historical and cultural contexts within the region.

Regardless of the issue of Iran / Israel or the work permits, all private schools in Thailand charge enormous sums for "prestigious first-class education by foreign teachers", often undeserved.

The real question here is, were the kids getting a decent education?

Just now, unblocktheplanet said:

Regardless of the issue of Iran / Israel or the work permits, all private schools in Thailand charge enormous sums for "prestigious first-class education by foreign teachers", often undeserved.

Yeah, and in their promotional material, Websites, brochures, etc. The photos have some white smiling male/female teacher, with a few students, usually at least one of which is white (and more often than not, is actually one of the foreign teacher's kids).

Just now, unblocktheplanet said:

I, too, thought Kishipoor an Indian surname but... [Ancestry.com} Yes, Kishipour (or its variant spelling Kishipoor) is an authentic Persian surname.

The name follows a traditional Iranian construction combining a base name with a common patronymic suffix:[1, 2, 3]

• -pour / -poor: A classic Persian suffix (pronounced pur) meaning "son of" or "descendant of".

• Kishi: While less common as a standalone name, it appears in various historical and cultural contexts within the region.

Regardless of the issue of Iran / Israel or the work permits, all private schools in Thailand charge enormous sums for "prestigious first-class education by foreign teachers", often undeserved.

The real question here is, were the kids getting a decent education?

As they weren't operating legally to the Thai authorities the quality of their service is a moot point even if it was owned by Martian.

Just now, ronnie50 said:

If that's what many are doing, then good reason why Thailand does not allow them to open bank accounts. They're supposed to be working for an overseas employer, hence their remuneration would go into a foreign bank account - which they can always withdraw cash at an ATM here. They don't need a Thai bank account beause they are not being paid by a Thai employer - I guess that's the thinking of BOI and IMM.

LTR can open Thai bank accounts and receive remittances from overseas.

The DTV is technically a tourist visa. 30% of applicants are likely to be salaried remote workers, 45% are self-employed (contractors, freelancers, own merch store, drop shippers), 25% unemployed/passive income.

Just now, Jingthing said:

As they weren't operating legally to the Thai authorities the quality of their service is a moot point even if it was owned by Martian.

I disagree, Jing. The quality of the education is the entire point, regardless of legalities.

Just now, Jingthing said:

As they weren't operating legally to the Thai authorities the quality of their service is a moot point even if it was owned by Martian.

The topic is a clear news report. Because Israeli children were potentially victimized in this scam and mentioned, innocent news gives the usual suspects a chance to spew about Israelis. Other than that, its just more farangs behaving badly. If a mod hadnt have stepped in, I can only imagine where this one would have gone.

Just now, Jingthing said:

As they weren't operating legally to the Thai authorities the quality of their service is a moot point even if it was owned by Martian.

But it is interesting if an Iranian owned school had many Jewish students. That is why the owners nationality is being discussed.

Just now, atpeace said:

But it is interesting if an Iranian owned school had many Jewish students. That is why the owners nationality is being discussed.

It doesn't seem weird to me at all.

Have you been to LA?

Just now, Jingthing said:

It doesn't seem weird to me at all.

Have you been to LA?

Your ideological allies from Europe still see people in ethnic/racial and national terms. Very primitive. Not like LA

Just now, unblocktheplanet said:

I, too, thought Kishipoor an Indian surname but... [Ancestry.com} Yes, Kishipour (or its variant spelling Kishipoor) is an authentic Persian surname.

The name follows a traditional Iranian construction combining a base name with a common patronymic suffix:[1, 2, 3]

• -pour / -poor: A classic Persian suffix (pronounced pur) meaning "son of" or "descendant of".

• Kishi: While less common as a standalone name, it appears in various historical and cultural contexts within the region.

Regardless of the issue of Iran / Israel or the work permits, all private schools in Thailand charge enormous sums for "prestigious first-class education by foreign teachers", often undeserved.

The real question here is, were the kids getting a decent education?

Bone fide International Schools in Thailand are not expensive by international standards. My sister teaches in a UK state school. She puts her son through an independant school, which is not a particularly expensive one by UK standards, and that's costing her £10,000/ 420,000 Baht a term. By forgoing all holidays and cutting down on how many meals she eats, she just about manages it, and thinks its worth it.

Genuine international schools are accredited. They have to be, to offer examinations like IB, GCSE, iGCSE and others.

Police raid video. The kids look happy. Some of them seem to have gone a bit feral. Teaching, such as it is, seems "relaxed" and non-directed. No sign of the western teachers. Its all Burmese standing around, not doing a lot. The two Iranians, unblurred, appear at the end. The woman appears to have a Bindi spot, so may be hindu, covered in tats. The man is bearded, a slap head. Older photos show him to be clean shaven, long flowing locks, into the techno scene. Certainly not some pious loon.

The whole set up has the vibe of an old resort/holiday camp.

Just now, atpeace said:

But it is interesting if an Iranian owned school had many Jewish students. That is why the owners nationality is being discussed.

No, people are adding 2 and 2 and coming up with 5, They made an immediate assumption that if the owners were Iranians, then they must be running a madrassa to convert Israeli kids. Its a very broad assumption by you that to be Israeli is to be Jewish.

If anything, the school seems to be extremely secular, to the extent pushing new age bull<deleted>.

I suspect its a scam. No education professionals are running the place. Its run on a shoe strong, with the belief if you keep the kids busy, they are receiving an "education". You can probably get away with that up to age 5-6, but when you have kids aged up to 12 years, they actually do need to be learning stuff.

https://nomadmum.com/koh-phangan-international-kindergartens/

For a school that isn't supposed to have any kids aged over 5, this is brazen:

Class Sizes and Student-Teacher Ratio

The classes are small, ensuring that every student receives the support they need.

• Unicorn Class: For children aged 2 to 3 years old.

• Rabbit Class: For children aged 3 to 5 years old.

• Panda Class: For children aged 5 to 7 years old, divided into two separate classes based on ability.

• Owl Class: For children aged 7 to 9 years old, also divided into two separate classes based on ability and English proficiency.

• Eagle Class: For children aged 9 to 12 years old.

The school is called "Arki.kids", which is very similar sounding to Arkki, which is a Finnish system of education through teachng architecture, which also has gotten an official establishment in Thailand.. Hmm, were they misrepresenting themselves....

3 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

The school was owned by Iranians! Counter-brainwashing?

There's no inherent contradiction with an Iranian-owned school having many Israeli pupils. The owners might be Iranian Jews or Christians or even "liberal" Muslims who fled oppression in Iran and have nothing against Israelis.

It's the extreme Islamist ideology of the Iranian government that makes Iranians hate Israelis. Most Iranians living abroad have abandoned that ideology and hatred of Jews.

In order to arrive at the correct total number of students, given there are 89 Israeli students, then would we not be required to solve two simultaneous equations?

So, we can write: Total Students equals 89-Israeli Students PLUS Number-of-Other-Students.

But, do we have enough data to add one more necessary equation here?

Maybe, Israeli students prefer this school, two to one, compared to the preferences of the other students...

Just now, Evil Penevil said:

It's the extreme Islamist ideology of the Iranian government that makes Iranians hate Israelis. Most Iranians living abroad have abandoned that ideology and hatred of Jews.

But, does this work both ways, such as...for the Israelis living abroad?

I think yes, somewhat.