Police raided a resort on Koh Phangan yesterday, December 15, arresting a Frenchman and four Myanmar nationals in a crackdown on illegal businesses and nominee company operations on the island.
The operation was led by immigration police in coordination with local authorities after they received a tip-off about a resort suspected of operating without proper licenses. Upon inspection, officers discovered the property has 11 villas offering daily accommodation for 2,000 to 4,000 baht per night, alongside restaurant and fitness facilities.
The company’s director, a 32 year old French national, did not present a valid hotel operating license. Additionally, four Myanmar nationals were found working illegally as cashiers, waiters, and dishwashers, all without the proper documentation and in roles beyond the scope of their permitted employment.
Bangkok Post reported that the Frenchman was charged with operating an unlicensed hotel business, hiring foreign workers in violation of their VISA conditions, and failing to notify authorities about foreign employees within the required 15-day window.
The Myanmar workers were charged with working outside their authorized occupations and failing to report their employment to authorities.
Police Lieutenant General Phanumart Boonyalak, Immigration Bureau commissioner, stated that the crackdown was part of ongoing efforts to uphold Thailand’s tourism image and ensure fairness in the business landscape.
Source: The Thaiger