Pictures courtesy of MGR

A 42-year-old Israeli restaurant owner has been arrested on Koh Phangan in Surat Thani province for allegedly running a large-scale drug operation valued at approximately 50 million baht. Police said the suspect, Mr Shai Alfasi, was detained on 13 February following a coordinated undercover operation targeting drug distribution among foreign tourists. Officers seized significant quantities of narcotics and described the arrest as one of the largest drugs bust ever recorded on the island.

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The operation was carried out under the direction of Pol Lt Gen Saksiira Phueak-am, Commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau, who assigned Pol Lt Col Winij Boonchit of Tourist Police Division 3 to coordinate with local authorities. The joint task force included Koh Phangan district chief Paisit Thongjem, Surat Thani provincial police special operations units, Koh Phangan police investigators, administrative officials and immigration officers. The crackdown formed part of intensified security measures for the Chinese New Year period.

Police said Mr Alfasi, owner of a restaurant in the Hin Kong beach area, allegedly posed as an influential figure while supplying drugs under the code name “Israel Group”. Officers conducted a sting operation after receiving intelligence and subsequently searched him and his premises. Seized items included 3kg of cocaine, 3kg of ketamine, approximately 3.5kg of MDMA powder, 262 MDMA tablets, 1,778 grams of LSD, 15 grams of heroin, 58 grams of psilocybin mushrooms and four “Labubu” ecstasy pills.

Investigators said drugs were ordered through WhatsApp Business, with locations sent to customers for collection. Payments were reportedly made in cash at designated drop points and messages were set to auto-delete after five minutes. Authorities stated the network sold exclusively to foreign nationals, primarily Israeli customers.

Mr Alfasi allegedly confessed during questioning at the Koh Phangan Tourist Police Service Unit, citing the weight of evidence including seized drugs, phone numbers and application data. He faces multiple charges, including distributing Category 1, 2 and 5 narcotics and Category 2 psychotropic substances for commercial purposes, causing public dissemination and illegal consumption of cocaine and ketamine. He has been transferred to investigators at Koh Phangan Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Manager online reported that district chief Paisit Thongjem said the arrest was the most significant drug seizure in Koh Phangan’s history and praised the coordinated efforts of all agencies involved. Authorities believe the operation has disrupted a major distribution network on the island. Further investigation and legal action are continuing.

Key Takeaways

• Israeli national Shai Alfasi was arrested on 13 February in Koh Phangan with drugs valued at 50 million baht.

• Police seized cocaine, ketamine, MDMA, LSD, heroin, mushrooms and ecstasy tablets in what officials called the island’s largest bust.

• Authorities say the network operated via WhatsApp Business with auto-deleting messages and location-based cash drops.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now MGRonline 15 Feb 2026

More Israelis in Thailand is making the news.

And goodbye freedom 😄

Shows how dumb he was that he had 2 suitcases just sitting around at his restaurant. Yeah because that doesn't stick out like a sore thumb 🙄🙈

Tip of a very large iceberg on that island I'm sure.

He's going on a very long holiday me thinks

On 2/15/2026 at 4:02 AM, Georgealbert said:

the weight of evidence

Being a lot of Kg ...🤣🙃

Keep your nose clean, kids.

It's not worth it.

All he had to say after being nabbed was "bugger me".... Methinks his wish will be granted.

Don't touch him, he's a chosen one,

How stupid was he? Just try to run an honest business next time

36 minutes ago, Daniel 2 said:

Don't touch him, he's a chosen one,

You mean a drug dealer with some nasty stuff ?

1 hour ago, wombat said:

Being a lot of Kg ...🤣🙃

That sure is a lot of dope.

Next 20 years he can bitch in Thai jail about anti-semitic Thai police.

Perhaps he thought he would run this for a few more months to make a target amount of cash and get out or just thought he could walk on the water for ever. Either way drug dealing is an occupation reserved for Thais and they will come down hard on foreign encroachers. Even so it is only the large scale Thai dealers with really big connections with all factions that can survive for ever. The little ones end up the same as this guy. Cops watch them and take bribes for a while but, sooner or later, they pee someone off or the police command structure changes and their time is up.

This guy may be an Israeli Arab but he used a Hebrew name to connect with Israeli drug addicts on the island, probably thinking that things might stay secret in an enclosed ethnic and linguistic community. But the Thai criminals find out about drugs coming into their community in competition with them and tip off their police handlers.

This island is a terrible place loaded with drugs and criminal foreigners.

Everyday they catch someone for drugs.. illegal rentals and so on.