Picture courtesy of Khaosod

 

Six Myanmar nationals have been arrested on Koh Phangan island for allegedly operating an illegal construction business linked to an Israeli investor, exposing a suspected nominee network involving nearly 9 million baht in financial transactions over the past year. The arrests on 11 October followed growing complaints from residents about foreigners, particularly Israelis, expanding businesses on the island through Thai proxies to evade ownership laws.

 

The case began when residents reported two Myanmar men, Mr Ye and Mr Te, working illegally as electricians, a protected occupation under Thai law. Questioned by police, they admitted earning 500 baht per day from an unidentified Israeli employer, prompting a wider probe into the local construction industry. Further investigation led to the arrest of three more Myanmar nationals, Mr Aung Thu, Ms Khai Wai Mon and Mr Te Wai, who were found running a construction contracting operation.

 

Authorities discovered the trio had used a LINE messaging group to coordinate projects for foreign clients, mainly expatriates and tourists. Financial records showed 8.9 million baht, had moved through their accounts in one year, far exceeding legal income for migrant workers. The group was allegedly employed by an Israeli national identified as Mr Ran, who commissioned seven homes valued at around 49 million baht in total, paying in instalments and purchasing over 9.3 million baht in materials.

 

Evidence recovered from the suspects’ mobile phones included messages and receipts linking them directly to the investor. Another suspect, Mr Tian Soe, was also detained after police discovered he had illegally entered Thailand via Tak province, paying 15,000 baht to smugglers. He faces additional immigration charges.

 

Investigators allege the group operated through a Thai-registered shell company, Kong Thong Construction Limited Partnership, which employed only one Thai proxy with no involvement in negotiations. The Myanmar workers admitted they were aware their activities breached Thai labour and business laws but continued because of the lucrative returns.

 

Authorities are now tracing financial networks connecting the Myanmar contractors, Israeli investors and Thai nominees suspected of fronting illegal property developments. No charges have yet been filed against Mr Ran or any Thai nationals, but police say the investigation remains active.

 

The case highlights a growing issue of foreign nationals using Thai proxies to control local businesses, particularly on tourist islands such as Koh Phangan. Local frustration has led to a “Save Koh Phangan” social media campaign warning that the island risks losing its cultural identity to unregulated foreign influence.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Six Myanmar nationals were arrested for illegally operating a construction business on Koh Phangan.

• Police linked the group to Israeli investor Mr Ran and nearly 9 million baht in financial transactions.

• Authorities are expanding the probe into suspected nominee networks and foreign business ownership violations.

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-10-13

 

 

 

 

Seems like the pointing photos are back again.

I feel sorry for the poor Burmese guys. Where is the Israeli ?

Revoke his visa..... there's a lot to do in Gaza. Good investment

So they didn't bother looking for the Israeli 🙄

So not satisfied with stealing west bank homes, villages and land as illegal occupiers, they now want Thailand. Oh forgot they were promised thailand 3000 years ago.

41 minutes ago, phetphet said:

Seems like the pointing photos are back again.

And they've been practicing by the look of it.

How did Israeli man find the Miramar workers why don’t they just file the money and see where it ended up have they really look closely at all the businesses in Thailand probably a lot of her owned by Chinese

20 hours ago, Mburo said:

I feel sorry for the poor Burmese guys. Where is the Israeli ?

Mr Ran ran away! 

On 10/14/2025 at 2:11 AM, Mburo said:

I feel sorry for the poor Burmese guys.

 

They where from Myanmar.