SURAT THANI, Thailand – Authorities in Surat Thani province raided an illegal non-formal school on Koh Phangan, where officials found 89 foreign children and several labor violations involving foreign and undocumented workers.
Fourth Army Area Commander and Director of ISOC Region 4 Lt. Gen. Norathip Poinok conducted a joint operation with local officials, police, and immigration officers at a facility in Moo 3 of Koh Phangan Subdistrict.
Although the facility was licensed as a childcare center for up to 18 children aged 2 to 5, investigators found it operating as a full-scale non-formal school. The raid uncovered 89 foreign children aged 2 to 12, as well as 40 Myanmar nationals and 12 other foreign workers. Some attempted to flee during the inspection.
Authorities arrested the manager and company director, along with a foreign couple who claimed joint ownership. They face charges of operating an educational institution without a permit and illegally employing foreign nationals. Six foreign nationals acting as teachers were also charged with working without a permit or with violating the conditions of their work permits.
The raid followed social media reports of Israeli nationals operating businesses in violation of Thai law, raising concerns about long-term national security. Deputy Commander of Surat Thani Provincial Police, Colonel Sombat Chamsaeng, stated that the foreign staff will be prosecuted for labor violations.
Authorities are also investigating whether the company used Thai nationals as “nominees” to bypass business ownership laws and are currently auditing all foreign-owned businesses on Koh Phangan for legal compliance. (NNT)
