Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

A 34-year-old Canadian man has been arrested on the island of Koh Phangan for illegally operating an electric scooter rental business, authorities confirmed on 20 April.

 

Acting on a tip-off from a tourist, officers from Koh Phangan Tourist Police raided a property in the Sri Thanu area (Moo 8, Koh Phangan subdistrict), where they found 15 unregistered electric scooters being rented out to tourists. The man, referred to by police only as Mr A, was arrested at the scene.

 

Officials stated that Mr A was working without a legal permit and had been running the rental business in violation of the law. Surveillance revealed a steady stream of foreign tourists entering and exiting the premises, often paying cash to rent the vehicles directly from Mr A.

 

The shop operated under the name “DREAM”, with online services promoted as “3 Wheel Scooter Rentals Phangan.” Mr A later confessed during questioning that he was on a tourist visa and knew he was not permitted to work in Thailand. Nonetheless, he admitted to setting up the business and using a Thai-registered company, Dream Creative Co., Ltd., as a front to evade scrutiny.

 

Rental rates were reported to be 600 baht per day, 2,900 baht per week, and 10,000 baht per month.

 

In addition to the scooter rentals, Mr A also confessed to renting out villas and private accommodation on the island, though he admitted that the scooter rental business had proven more lucrative and had become his primary focus.

 

Authorities seized all related assets and are pursuing further investigations into other potentially illegal business activities connected to the suspect. Mr A has been taken into custody and will face legal proceedings under Thai immigration and labour laws.

 

Further action is being taken to identify any associates and to scrutinise linked businesses on the island.

 

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Matichon.

 

-- 2025-04-21

 

 

 

 

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Rental rates were reported to be 600 baht per day, 2,900 baht per week, and 10,000 baht per month

 

And people pay those outlandish prices?

So much for 'going green'.

how does someone think they will get away with that? 

 

Given me an idea, I'll paint my Click green and rent it out for 550 Baht a day    😎

Just another stupid foreigner. Over and over again. It amazing that it can be so hard to understand.

Quite strange for canadian. 

If it was that lucrative , it is not that difficult to do it legally. Stupid.

2 hours ago, JoePai said:

Given me an idea, I'll paint my Click green and rent it out for 550 Baht a day    😎

 

Yellow is the 'go to' colour here on Samui apparently and only 390 per day

 

Slap some Tariffs on this guy.....55555.

What a hoser, eh

2 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

If it was that lucrative , it is not that difficult to do it legally. Stupid.

 

2 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

If it was that lucrative , it is not that difficult to do it legally. Stupid.

To the best of my knowledge they are not allowed on roads, ebikes are allowed. 

2 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Yellow is the 'go to' colour here on Samui apparently and only 390 per day

 

 

9 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The shop operated under the name “DREAM”, with online services promoted as “3 Wheel Scooter Rentals Phangan.

 

Good job officers 

6 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

And people pay those outlandish prices?

So much for 'going green'.

Yes.   What did you not understand about the article?  Or are you just a little bit slow?

And many of the top Police on the island have been seen driving these electric scooters TIT

4 hours ago, NativeBob said:

Quite strange for canadian. 

Were usually more reserved. 

10 minutes ago, Colabamumbai said:

Were usually more reserved. 

An appropriate apostrophe could change the whole meaning!

10 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Authorities seized all related assets and are pursuing further investigations into other potentially illegal business activities connected to the suspect

Strangely enough, a new e-scooter rental shop has popped-up at the exact same location!  It's operated by children of the local police Captain, and named "DLEAM".

 

A post breaking forum rules and containing racist language has been removed. @NativeBob

It states that a foreigner reported him did he upset one of his clients !

12 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The shop operated under the name “DREAM”,

The dream shop is now over..

How did he get hold of the Thai-registered company, Dream Creative Co., Ltd., to use as a front to evade scrutiny? Is there a Thai accomplice in the wings?

6 minutes ago, Naroge said:

How did he get hold of the Thai-registered company, Dream Creative Co., Ltd., to use as a front to evade scrutiny? Is there a Thai accomplice in the wings?

Quite a few businesses will set up a company for foreigners.

If the foreigner does not have any Thai shareholders, they can be provided by the company setting it up.

9 hours ago, save the frogs said:

how does someone think they will get away with that? 

 

Agree.  I mean how stupid for a fellow Canuck who I expect has some form of education.  A simple google search will tell you everything you need to know.  

1 hour ago, Naroge said:

How did he get hold of the Thai-registered company, Dream Creative Co., Ltd., to use as a front to evade scrutiny? Is there a Thai accomplice in the wings?

 

You just need a lawyer,  it's easy.  But he should have let a Thai be in charge of the business. He was too greedy. 

 

2 minutes ago, balo said:

 

You just need a lawyer,  it's easy.  But he should have let a Thai be in charge of the business. He was too greedy. 

 

The problem in Thailand is that the law is very 'relaxed' - until something goes wrong, and then it is strict.

Lots of people working here on the islands illegally.

A useful thing to know in case they cause trouble.

Send him to El-Salvador.  🙂

3 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Quite a few businesses will set up a company for foreigners.

If the foreigner does not have any Thai shareholders, they can be provided by the company setting it up.

That is how allot of the homes are bought in Thailand. Had a buddy that didn't have a clue who was the Thai shareholder on his property. Lawyers just set it up, collect the money boom you are a home owner. 

It is striking: Koh Phangan seems to be a paradise for business-minded foreign geniuses who have never heard of a work visa..🤣🤣🤣

Mr. A your in a hole 🤔