16-5-2024 (BANGKOK) Authorities on the popular tourist island of Koh Phangan have arrested several foreign nationals accused of running an unauthorised daycare centre and a wakeboarding service. The arrests were made on Wednesday following a series of raids by tourist police.
Among those detained was a 26-year-old Russian woman and an 18-year-old Myanmar woman, both found at a house where they were caring for foreign children. The Russian woman confessed to working at the daycare facility for three months while residing in Thailand on a tourist visa. The Myanmar woman, employed as a helper for over a year, also admitted to working there. Both women revealed they were employed by a Belarusian woman, who is currently being sought by the authorities.
In a separate raid, police targeted the Back & Forth Wake Park, which offers wakeboarding services to tourists. A Russian man was arrested for operating the business without the proper authorisation. The wake park, which has been in operation since December of last year, was found to be hiring a Ukrainian man and a Moldovan man to construct restrooms at the site. The Russian man was also found to be in the country on a tourist visa.
The arrested individuals are facing charges of illegal employment. The Myanmar woman faces additional charges for failing to report her employment and workplace.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to locate the Belarusian woman linked to the daycare facility and to ensure that all operations on the island comply with local regulations.
