Picture courtesy of Naewna

 

Surat Thani Immigration officers have arrested eight foreign nationals for illegally operating hotels and businesses on Koh Phangan. The coordinated crackdown, led by local authorities and police, took place on October 15, 2025, targeting unlicensed hospitality operations run by foreigners on the island.

 

Pol Col Naruwat Phuttawiro, Superintendent of Surat Thani Immigration, said the operation was carried out under the direction of Surat Thani Governor and Provincial Immigration Command to address growing concerns about foreigners illegally conducting hotel and business activities on the island. The joint task force included immigration, district, tourist police and administrative officers.

 

Investigators identified three business sites allegedly managed by foreigners. The first was run by a 40-year-old French national, identified only as Jody, who had been operating a hotel without the required permits. The second involved a 60-year-old Israeli man, Avi Romano, who managed a hotel under a company name that no longer matched the licensed entity due to an unreported change in ownership structure. Officials instructed him to rectify the issue through legal channels and detained two Myanmar workers found at the property.

 

The third case involved a restaurant owned by a 35-year-old German man named Richard and his compatriot, Arthur, aged 38. Immigration officers found that only foreign nationals were employed there, including one Myanmar worker, with no Thai staff present. In total, eight foreigners were arrested: one Israeli, two Germans, one French and four Myanmar nationals. All have been handed over to Koh Phangan Police Station for legal proceedings.

 

Pol Lt Gen Phanumas Boonyaluck, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, directed the province-wide operation as part of a national initiative to curb illegal foreign business ownership, nominee structures, and improper real estate activities. Authorities are also intensifying scrutiny of foreigners engaging in behaviour deemed inappropriate or unlawful during their stay in Thailand.

 

Officials emphasised that the enforcement campaign aims to maintain fairness in the business sector and protect local employment opportunities while ensuring Koh Phangan remains a safe and law-abiding destination for tourism and investment.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Eight foreigners were arrested on Koh Phangan for operating illegal hotels and restaurants.

• The crackdown targeted unlicensed or improperly registered foreign-run businesses.

• Authorities vowed continued inspections to prevent nominee ownership and protect lawful tourism.

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now From Naewna 2025-10-17

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next stop Koh Samui, then try Hua Hin and Phuket, and then the big one, Pattaya.

A bit like far to many of those house building or construction or home maintenance contractors in Thailand. Many employ totally unqualified people from Burma, but of course charge the local rate. And even when it's all local Thai workers, they will make it a point to overcharge and cheat on low grade materials used or not finish the jobs. This is why foreigners are getting fed up and end up in selling and sometimes leaving Thailand. 

Expats have disreguarded  Thai law and enrolled for nominee scams for years with the conivience of Thai lawyers. 

 

 

Low season at the moment, 

19 hours ago, Middle Aged Grouch said:

A bit like far to many of those house building or construction or home maintenance contractors in Thailand. Many employ totally unqualified people from Burma, but of course charge the local rate. And even when it's all local Thai workers, they will make it a point to overcharge and cheat on low grade materials used or not finish the jobs. This is why foreigners are getting fed up and end up in selling and sometimes leaving Thailand. 

And what is the connection with the article, joker

Best to stay out of business in Thailand...

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Best to stay out of business in Thailand...

I'll leave everything to my wife, business wise i mean, 

Best not to invest in Thailand, or anywhere really where you do not have any way to become a resident.  I am always amazed at the people that do it.

I was tempted so many times when I lived there, I always had to remind myself where I was and that a year long extension of stay was as not a resident visa!

On 10/17/2025 at 11:34 AM, Middle Aged Grouch said:

A bit like far to many of those house building or construction or home maintenance contractors in Thailand. Many employ totally unqualified people from Burma, but of course charge the local rate. And even when it's all local Thai workers, they will make it a point to overcharge and cheat on low grade materials used or not finish the jobs. This is why foreigners are getting fed up and end up in selling and sometimes leaving Thailand. 

Yes, foreigners screwing over other foreigners. That's what I'm noticing on Samui for sure.

As a foreigner it is very hard to make any money running any kind of business. To many rules and hoops to jump thru. Always will be taken advantage of.

On 10/17/2025 at 2:02 PM, JimHuaHin said:

Next stop Koh Samui, then try Hua Hin and Phuket, and then the big one, Pattaya.

Too much c.orruption in Pattaya. You can not even go down walking street without foreigners molesting you to go see a sex show or trying to drag you into a club or bar. The only way for that to happen is someone is paying off the right people. Surely those jobs are not on the list of things eligible for work permits as well