PHUKET – Phuket Immigration officers have conducted a series of raids in the Patong area, resulting in the arrest of four foreigners for operating businesses in violation of the Foreign Business Act. The operation targeted five establishments, including a motorcycle rental shop, a travel agency, a barber shop, and several restaurants, following complaints from local residents.

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During the inspections, officers discovered an Israeli national managing a portfolio of businesses that are legally restricted to Thai operations. The enterprises, while registered under a Thai citizen’s name, were found to be under the Israeli man’s de facto control, raising suspicions of nominee ownership. The businesses employed three Thai nationals and two Myanmar workers who held appropriate work permits. Authorities seized relevant documents for further investigation into the alleged ownership structure.

At a nearby Israeli-themed restaurant, a second Israeli man admitted to performing managerial duties, a role prohibited for foreigners under Thai law. While details regarding another inspected restaurant were not included in official reports, the operation led to the detention of four foreign nationals, whose identities have not yet been publicly disclosed.

This crackdown reflects a broader national pattern of increased enforcement against illegal foreign business operations. Recent months have seen similar cases across Thailand, including the detention of two Chinese nationals for illegally managing a Bangkok hostel, the arrest of a Lebanese man operating an unauthorized motorcycle rental on Koh Pha Ngan, and the closure of an illegal travel agency run by an Israeli-Thai couple.

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Investigations in Phuket remain ongoing as authorities pursue another foreign individual suspected of involvement in the illegal business network. The enforcement actions signal the government’s commitment to strengthening regulatory oversight and protecting local economic interests from unauthorized foreign competition.

-Thailand News (TN)