Koh Phangan Hotel Raid: Illegal Workers, Contraband Tobacco Seized
Koh Phangan, Thailand—In a sting operation targeting illicit trade, Tourist Police raided a hotel on the idyllic island of Koh Phangan on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, uncovering a clandestine tobacco operation and apprehending three individuals: two hotel managers and a British national working illegally. The 6:30 p. m. raid, at a hotel in Moo 1, Ban Tai, followed reports of illegal tobacco sales near a local school.
Spearheaded by Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phuek-am, Commander of the Tourist Police Bureau, the operation yielded a significant haul of untaxed cigarettes and e-cigarettes. These illicit goods, prominently displayed and advertised at the hotel bar, were sourced from Bulgaria, adding a transnational dimension to the enterprise.
Hotel manager Ivan, a Serbian national, and assistant manager Pakorn, a Thai national, were taken into custody. Both confessed to procuring the contraband from a Bulgarian contact for approximately 20,000 baht (US$585). They admitted to selling e-cigarettes for 600 baht (US$17.50) each and conventional cigarettes for 100 baht (US$2.90) per pack, splitting the profits equally. This blatant disregard for Thai import laws and tax regulations exposed a lucrative black market for tobacco products on the popular tourist island.
The operation also uncovered Ashley, a British national working at the hotel reception without a work permit. Employed by Ivan in exchange for room and board while on a tourist visa, Ashley’s situation highlights the vulnerability of tourists to exploitation and illegal employment practices within the hospitality sector.
The managers face serious legal repercussions for their involvement in the illicit tobacco trade. Charges related to possession and sale of untaxed goods without customs clearance could result in up to five years imprisonment, a fine four times the value of the seized goods (including customs duties), or both. Ashley faces a potential fine of up to 50,000 baht and deportation to the United Kingdom, underscoring the importance of adhering to visa and employment regulations.
This incident demonstrates the Tourist Police’s commitment to combating illegal foreign business operations and transnational crime in Thailand. The seizure disrupts the illegal tobacco trade and serves as a deterrent. The proximity of the illegal activity to a school highlights the potential impact on local communities. This case illustrates the multifaceted challenges authorities face in tackling illicit trade and maintaining order in popular tourist destinations like Koh Phangan, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and robust enforcement.
