Koh phangan: A special task force targeting foreign illegal activities conducted a significant raid on Koh Phangan, shutting down 89 consulting offices suspected of concealing land sales and evading taxes amounting to over 152 million baht. Foreign tourists residing in luxury villas operating without proper licenses were also called in for questioning.
According to Thai News Agency, at a briefing held in the Koh Phangan Police Station’s operating room in Surat Thani Province, Pol. Col. Sirichai Suksat, Deputy Commander of Surat Thani Provincial Police and head of the Special Task Force, detailed the operations. Under orders from Surat Thani Governor Thirutham Suphawibunphon, the task force focused on identifying and intervening in unlawful foreign business operations.
The operation’s first point of interest was a commercial building in the Koh Phangan Subdistrict, housing an office on Talat Mai Road. The second location, a nearby commercial building owned by the same individual, was linked to 89 legal entities involved in legal advice, accounting, and construction. Upon arrival, officers, led by Pol. Col. Sirichai Suksat, executed a search with a warrant from the Koh Samui Provincial Court, seizing documents and computers. The second building was found empty, lacking any business or residential equipment.
The team then moved to the residence of the company owner, who was absent as she had traveled to Bangkok with her foreign husband. Documents were confiscated in her absence.
At the fourth site, a beachfront villa project at Khao Hin Nok consisting of eight villas, a caretaker was present. Authorities found seven villas occupied by foreign tourists, who were charged 13,000 baht per night. The villas lacked hotel licenses, prompting officials to request statements from the villa manager and six tourists.
“Daily News” earlier reported on the construction of this project by Israeli investors. Investigations revealed additional villas under construction on land owned by Thai companies with Israeli partners, suggesting tax evasion tactics through nominee company structures. The land, worth 152 million baht, was divided into 14 plots, with shares recently acquired by another Israeli company, potentially masking villa sales.