Former Israeli Commando Arrested for Illegal Tour Guiding on Koh Phangan

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of 3Plus NEWS

A former Israeli special forces soldier has been arrested on Koh Phangan for working as an unlicensed tour guide, allegedly taking jobs away from locals.

 

On 8th April, Thai Tourism Police, led by Major General Saksira Phuek-aum, acted on complaints that a foreigner was illegally operating as a tour guide.

 

Officers discovered David, a 45-year-old former Israeli commando, guiding a group of foreign children at the Wat Maduea Wan temple and the Wang Sai Waterfall.

 

David admitted he was a former military operative who had turned to guiding Israeli children around Thailand for a fee.

 

 

 

His WhatsApp account featured a group named “Nature Trips with Uncle,” offering tours for 800 baht per day or up to 8,000 baht weekly, visiting sites like Wat Maduea Wan and Zoo Cafe.

 

Law enforcement charged David with working as a tour guide without a licence and performing unauthorised work as a foreign national. He now faces legal proceedings on Koh Phangan.

 

This incident has prompted authorities to intensify their crackdown on illegal activities by foreigners in tourist hotspots, aiming to enhance security and maintain a positive image ahead of the Songkran festival.

 

Based on a story by 3Plus NEWS

 

-- 2025-04-09

 

 

[JoePai]

We should swap notes, after all I am a former Israeli SAS commando  🤣

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

This incident has prompted authorities to intensify their crackdown on illegal activities by foreigners in tourist hotspots, aiming to enhance security and maintain a positive image ahead of the Songkran festival.

 

There is nothing positive about arresting a naughty bloke for giving tours and educating children.

[webfact]

Ex-Israeli Soldier Arrested in Koh Pha Ngan for Illegal Tour Guiding

 

Picture courtesy of Koh Pha Ngan News

 

An ex-Israeli soldier who swapped his military fatigues for beachwear has landed himself in trouble. The man, known as David and aged 45, was caught operating as a tour guide on Koh Pha Ngan without the required permits.

 

Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phueak-am of the Tourist Police Bureau initiated a crackdown after receiving reports of a foreigner illegally working in a role reserved for Thai nationals.

 

Guiding Adventure Uncovered

 

David was found transporting a group of foreign children to popular island spots like Wang Sai Waterfall in a van. Investigation revealed he organised these excursions through a WhatsApp group named "Seeing Nature with Uncle," where parents could enrol their kids for island escapades.

 

 

 

Picture courtesy of Channel 3

 

The tours, including visits to Wat Madeua Wan, Hat Khom, and the Zoo Café, came at rates of approximately 800 Baht per child per day or between 6,000 to 8,000 Baht for a weekly package.

 

Legal Consequences Await

 

David now faces several charges, including operating a tourism business without a licence, acting as an unlicensed tour guide, and working in a protected occupation restricted to Thai nationals. He has been taken to Koh Pha Ngan Police Station for further legal proceedings. Lt. Gen. Saksira indicated that during Songkran 2025, efforts to curb illegal employment by foreigners in tourist spots would intensify, stating adherence to Thai labour laws is non-negotiable.

 

Protected Occupations List

 

Thailand's legal framework safeguards certain jobs for Thai citizens, including tour guiding, barbering, taxi driving, street vending, traditional handicrafts, labour and construction, agricultural, accounting, and legal sectors.

 

Foreigners working without proper documentation risk fines, deportation, and blacklisting. It's prudent to comply with these laws and leave such roles to locals with the requisite credentials and permits.

 

Based on a story by The Thaiger

 

-- 2025-04-09

 

 

[proton]

4 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

There is nothing positive about arresting a naughty bloke for giving tours and educating children.

 

There is if it puts other chancers off doing the same, obeying employment and immigration laws is the minimum you should be able to do here

[edwinchester]

Does anyone know how many Thai tour guides are proficient in Hebrew?

[norsurin]

The chosen ones think they can do whatever they want.

[ronster]

So none of the people working with work permits mentioned yesterday on Phuket in the business of tours and travel agencies were breaking the law either ? 🤔

Very surprised they caught this guy , would have thought his skills as a ex special forces operative would have sensed them watching him 😀

[Joe Boy Walton]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Protected Occupations List

 

Thailand's legal framework safeguards certain jobs for Thai citizens, including tour guiding, barbering, taxi driving, street vending, traditional handicrafts, labour and construction, agricultural, accounting, and legal sectors.

I note that Barbering is in this list. The last 3 haircuts I've had were: Patong - Saudi, Hua Hin - Russian/Ukraine (Whichever?), Khumpawapi - Rohingya. So who is keeping an eye out for these illicit Tonsorialists?

[newbee2022]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of 3Plus NEWS

A former Israeli special forces soldier has been arrested on Koh Phangan for working as an unlicensed tour guide, allegedly taking jobs away from locals.

 

On 8th April, Thai Tourism Police, led by Major General Saksira Phuek-aum, acted on complaints that a foreigner was illegally operating as a tour guide.

 

Officers discovered David, a 45-year-old former Israeli commando, guiding a group of foreign children at the Wat Maduea Wan temple and the Wang Sai Waterfall.

 

David admitted he was a former military operative who had turned to guiding Israeli children around Thailand for a fee.

 

 

 

 

His WhatsApp account featured a group named “Nature Trips with Uncle,” offering tours for 800 baht per day or up to 8,000 baht weekly, visiting sites like Wat Maduea Wan and Zoo Cafe.

 

Law enforcement charged David with working as a tour guide without a licence and performing unauthorised work as a foreign national. He now faces legal proceedings on Koh Phangan.

 

This incident has prompted authorities to intensify their crackdown on illegal activities by foreigners in tourist hotspots, aiming to enhance security and maintain a positive image ahead of the Songkran festival.

 

Based on a story by 3Plus NEWS

 

-- 2025-04-09

 

 

These Israelis think they can do what they want. Lawless people

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

A former Israeli special forces soldier has been arrested on Koh Phangan for working as an unlicensed tour guide, allegedly taking jobs away from locals.

Pure protectionism..

[klauskunkel]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

taking jobs away from locals

locals who can speak Hebrew

[Iron Tongue]

4 hours ago, JoePai said:

We should swap notes, after all I am a former Israeli SAS commando  🤣

 

I can top that, I WAS Agent Orange!

[Andrew65]

An old friend whose lived in Goa for 15 years said that they have the illicit drugs scene sewn-up there.

[Jonathan Swift]

1 hour ago, edwinchester said:

Does anyone know how many Thai tour guides are proficient in Hebrew?

And the logic behind your question, and its relevance, is ...... ? Exactly 0. And how many Israeli tourists speak English? Do they come here expecting tour guides to speak Hebrew? How many Thai tour guides speak excellent English? Most of them. Their livelihood depends in it. How many languages do you expect them to know? English is considered sufficient as far as 99% of the rest of the world is concerned. It's the agreed upon common linguistic currency.  And last but not least, do you think Thai people are inclined to cater to Israelis after all the trouble they've brought to the country, including ex military scofflaws like this guy? I'm sorry if I made your brain hurt with all this logic, But you feel smarter, no doubt, for trying to participate in a conversation that's clearly over your head. Oh, one more thing. You forgot to scream ANTI-SEMITISM!!!!!!!!!!!

[Grumpy one]

21 minutes ago, norsurin said:

The chosen ones think they can do whatever they want.

This one was chosen, by the police.  Too bad for him   

Send him home via Isis Airways 

[NativeBob]

1 hour ago, edwinchester said:

Does anyone know how many Thai tour guides are proficient in Hebrew?

Well, quite many "kosher thais" returned from IS after certain events. They do speak hebrew.

[Nick Carter icp]

24 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

These Israelis think they can do what they want. Lawless people

 

  Is it just Israelis who work illegally in Thailand ?

It isn't is it 

You are stating that ALL Israelis are lawless , because 1 Israeli worked illegally in Thailand ?

   Do you realise how illogical you sound ?

[newbee2022]

1 minute ago, Nick Carter icp said:

You are stating that ALL Israelis are lawless

No, I didn't. Read carefully. Can't you?

[proton]

1 minute ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

  Is it just Israelis who work illegally in Thailand ?

It isn't is it 

You are stating that ALL Israelis are lawless , because 1 Israeli worked illegally in Thailand ?

   Do you realise how illogical you sound ?

 

Any excuse for an anti semitic jibe on here!

[newbee2022]

2 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Do you realise how illogical you sound ?

Do you know how you look like not being able to read?

[Nick Carter icp]

5 minutes ago, Jonathan Swift said:

. Oh, one more thing. You forgot to scream ANTI-SEMITISM!!!!!!!!!!!

 

  As usual, it always seems to be anti Israelis who keep bring the topic of anti semitism to the table and then you will go on about "Them always going on about it"

[Nick Carter icp]

 

35 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

These Israelis think they can do what they want. Lawless people

 

6 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

No, I didn't. Read carefully. Can't you?

 

   You quite clearly did claim that ALL Israelis are lawless people .

 

[biggles45]

14 minutes ago, Jonathan Swift said:

many Thai tour guides speak excellent English? Most of them. Their livelihood depends in it.

Over the years I have met many Thai teachers of English, their understanding of the language is terrible. With the Thai education system tho their livelihood is NOT dependent on it! 

[newbee2022]

3 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

 

 

   You quite clearly did claim that ALL Israelis are lawless people .

 

 

3 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

 

 

   You quite clearly did claim that ALL Israelis are lawless people .

 

These Israelis think they can do what they want. Lawless people

 

This is what I said ❗

 

And now show me the word "ALL"

 

If you can't read don't answer 😂😂😂

Good day. I'm not willing to go on with your nonsense.  Look for a fool. It's not me.

[Nick Carter icp]

6 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Do you know how you look like not being able to read?

 

  If you wanted to comment about one person, you should have written :

 

*This Israeli thinks he can do what he wants. Lawless person*

As in a singular word

 

But you made the comment about ALL Israelis , you used the plural 

[Chris BKK]

deport him to Iran

[Nick Carter icp]

3 minutes ago, Chris BKK said:

deport him to Iran

 

   What would be the point of that ?

[Snackbar]

Bogus, special needs clearly 

[2long]

I like the word Commando in the headline and 'special forces' in the first sentence, when it appears we only have his word for this.

Taking into account that military service is mandatory for our chosen friends and (like here on AN/TV) it's not uncommon for people to claim to be something they're not, it's likely that this chap is/was nothing of the sort or special.

 

However, I'm happy to be proven wrong and he might well be an ex something special.