PATTAYA, Thailand – In response to growing concerns over illegal activities and foreign settlements on Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, Thai authorities have launched a comprehensive crackdown operation to address violations by foreigners, including unlicensed businesses, property transactions, and employment law infractions. The initiative comes amid local calls to “reclaim Koh Phangan” due to the impact of some Israeli nationals establishing residences and businesses on the island, affecting social, economic, and legal norms.
Under the policy of the Royal Thai Police, led by Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet and Deputy Police Chief Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma, operations began in mid-October 2025 targeting foreigners engaged in illegal business activities, including acting as nominees for real estate and other ventures. Authorities have also monitored behaviors that threaten public safety, disrupt social order, or damage Thailand’s international image.
From 2023 to 2025, local law enforcement recorded 20 cases involving Israeli nationals in Koh Phangan, with charges including unauthorized employment, overstaying visas, unlicensed tour operations, theft, drug offenses, assault, counterfeit currency, and contempt of officials.
A particular focus has been on illegal hotels, as of now, Koh Phangan has 546 hotels, of which only 208 are legally registered.
Authorities also investigated property ownership and corporate structures, finding over 1,700 of 7,000 registered companies potentially serving as nominee entities for foreign business interests, with many not responding to official inquiries.
Enforcement extended to individuals engaging in unauthorized activities, such as a 40-year-old British national, who was arrested for conducting “Tantra Yoga” classes for foreigners while holding a work permit unrelated to teaching.
Other cases included Azerbaijani nationals operating as electricians without proper permits. Complaints were filed after local Thai contractors reported being replaced by foreign workers, causing financial losses.
In October 2025 alone, 40 foreigners were arrested on Koh Phangan, including 11 Israelis, for offenses ranging from drug possession and unauthorized work to use of counterfeit currency. Common issues involved disruptive behavior, traffic violations, disrespecting Thai laws, and competing with local businesses.
Israeli Ambassador to Thailand emphasized that the majority of Israeli tourists are law-abiding and visit Thailand for leisure, noting that authorities should treat all foreign nationals equally under the law.
Local activists, citing residents like “Kaii Kpg,” report that hundreds of Israeli families have settled on Koh Phangan, often buying beachfront and hillside land through nominee arrangements, clearing forests, constructing unlicensed buildings, and establishing a concentrated community, especially in areas like Ban Sritanu, Hin Kong, and Chaloklam. Some facilities, including Jewish community centers and schools, cater primarily to the Israeli community.
In response, the Governor of Surat Thani, Teerut Supaviboolpol, established a special task force on October 10, 2025, comprising the Land Department, Department of Business Development, Provincial Police Region 8, Immigration Bureau, and security agencies to enforce Thai law and curb illegal activities.
The situation on Koh Phangan reflects broader challenges posed by free visa policies, which have allowed some foreign nationals to exploit loopholes for personal gain. Authorities continue to conduct strict enforcement actions, and the coming months will reveal how these measures reshape the island’s legal and social landscape.
