Picture courtesy of Naewna

 

Tourist police on Koh Phangan arrested a Russian man for illegally operating a motorbike rental business, seizing assets worth around 500,000 baht. The operation was carried out on 24 September under the direction of Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phuekaam, Commissioner of the Tourist Police. Officers detained 30-year-old Timofei Kariagin, who was found with 10 motorcycles offered for rent.

 

Police acted after receiving complaints from local residents about a foreigner running an unlawful rental service. During surveillance, they observed Kariagin, who was in Thailand on a tourist visa, instructing a foreign woman how to ride a motorcycle. On questioning, she said she had arranged the rental through WhatsApp after being referred by an Israeli friend.

 

The woman confirmed the agreed rental fee was 400 baht per day or 8,000 baht per month. Kariagin reportedly avoided collecting deposits or passports from customers and instead dropped off vehicles at designated locations, sending GPS details to avoid checks by the authorities. The business mainly served Israeli tourists, with some vehicles modified with extra stabiliser wheels for ease of use.

 

 

Kariagin admitted to police that he had been running the business for more than six months, earning about 150,000 baht per month. He stated that his main customers were Israeli women and explained how the adapted motorcycles were intended to make riding safer and more comfortable.

 

Following the arrest, officers confiscated all ten motorcycles and took Kariagin into custody. He was charged with “engaging in a business as a foreigner without permission (vehicle rental)” and “working without a work permit.” The case was transferred to Koh Phangan Police Station for legal proceedings.

 

Authorities said the arrest highlights ongoing challenges in preventing illegal business activities by foreigners on the island. They stressed that foreign nationals on tourist visas are not permitted to run rental businesses or work without appropriate permits.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Police arrested Russian national Timofei Kariagin, 30, for running an illegal motorbike rental business on Koh Phangan.

• He admitted operating the scheme for over six months, earning up to 150,000 baht monthly.

• Ten motorcycles worth about 500,000 baht were seized, and charges were filed at Koh Phangan Police Station.

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Naewna 2025-09-25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The end was foreseeable. It was only a matter of time before someone snitched on him.

Why aren't i surprised?

What happened? Didn't pay his bribe on time? Upset a rival shop? 

Guess he lost a few Rubels, then

 

On 9/25/2025 at 4:08 AM, Patong2021 said:

What happened? Didn't pay his bribe on time? Upset a rival shop? 

 

....or a snitch?