Photo courtesy of Khaosod

 

Thai authorities arrested a French man and four Myanmar nationals after discovering an unlicensed resort operation on Koh Phangan. The crackdown is part of efforts to manage illegal foreign-run businesses on this popular tourist island, situated in Surat Thani province. The unregistered resort had 11 rental units and offered restaurant and fitness services at rates from 2,000 to 4,000 baht per night.

 

The French operator, Arnaud, 32, was unable to provide a valid hotel business license when approached by the police. The investigation, carried out by immigration and provincial police alongside local officials, also found four Myanmar nationals employed without proper authorization. These workers were functioning outside the legally permitted categories, a breach of Thailand’s labor regulations.

 

Arnaud faces charges for running a hotel business without permission, working outside the allowed foreign employment categories, employing foreign workers unlawfully, and failing to report their employment within the mandatory 15-day period. The Myanmar nationals were charged with not notifying authorities of their employment and for working beyond their permitted roles.

 

Lt. Gen. Phanumart Boonyalak emphasized that the operation aims to enhance tourist confidence and protect Koh Phangan’s image. He encouraged residents to report any similar violations to the immigration hotline at 1178 or to the Surat Thani immigration office. This enforcement action reflects broader efforts to regulate tourism activities and ensure compliance with local laws to preserve the island’s reputation.

 

Looking forward, continued monitoring and cooperation among immigration, provincial police, and local officials are expected. Authorities are keen to maintain a secure and lawful environment for both tourists and legitimate businesses on Koh Phangan, thereby supporting the area's economic stability while safeguarding its appeal as a global tourist spot, reported Khaosod.

 

Key Takeaways

• A French national and four Myanmar workers arrested at an unlicensed resort.
• Arnaud charged with multiple offenses, including illegal employment practices.
• Authorities aim to uphold Koh Phangan’s reputation and legal compliance.

 

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khaosod 2025-12-15

 

 

 

Offensive post removed 

 

@AndyAndyAndy

 

10. You will not post troll messages. Trolling is the act of purposefully antagonizing forum members by posting controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages with the primary intent of provoking other members into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.

 

 

One of hundreds if not thousands. 🙄

Operating.. as a manager or he was the owner?

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Operating.. as a manager or he was the owner?

Owner working behind reception from what I have read . Can own things in business but you can't do most of the work in them. Even if you own a restaurant you can't even pick up a cup to take to the kitchen as it takes away job from a Thai. Loads of people do it but it's illegal as far as I remember.

 Allway Koh Phangan, a striking number of foreigners repeatedly set up businesses there without the proper visas... The brown envelopes seem to work well there.

13 minutes ago, ujayujay said:

 Allway Koh Phangan, a striking number of foreigners repeatedly set up businesses there without the proper visas... The brown envelopes seem to work well there.

if these "brown envelopes" worked so well we would not see this article...

This is the second or third hotel or resort busted in that location in the past month or so being run by foreigners with undocumented staff. I would suggest the locals are doing what the Lt Gen recommended :

He encouraged residents to report any similar violations to the immigration hotline at 1178 or to the Surat Thani immigration office.

 Local business owners probably have a good idea about whats happening on their patch and the individuals involved in running them, nothing stays a secret in Thailand for long. With tourist figures down they aren’t going to tolerate losing money to others who aren’t legit. 

3 hours ago, ujayujay said:

 Allway Koh Phangan, a striking number of foreigners repeatedly set up businesses there without the proper visas... The brown envelopes seem to work well there.

Until they don't....

All the islands are flooded in foreigners having a hand in business , mostly restaurants, hotels, and villa rentals . Unfortunately, lots of these businesses are owned by unsavory characters.  If the police really wanted to they could stop this. I remember a time when third road Patong was taken over by North African French . They behavior shocked many, afraid of nothing. No idea what it’s like now, but I hear only bad news from Patong. 

He was arrested primarily because the hotel was illegal - it had no licence.