Businesses raided on Thai 'Full Moon Party' island in crackdown on foreign ownership
Businesses were raided on the Thai Full Moon Party island in a crackdown on foreign ownership.
Police stormed cannabis shops and hotels suspected of operating illegally on the bustling Koh Phangan island in Surat Thani province.
During the raids on Friday, August 14, cops allegedly found the hotels operating without permits and buildings being constructed or altered without authorisation.
One hotel occupied more than 9.9 acres across 26 title deeds, and had a 51 per cent Thai and 49 per cent Israeli shareholding structure, according to officials.
Additionally, payments were accepted exclusively through transfers to foreign bank accounts.
The cannabis shops reportedly charged customers for Controlled Herb Prescriptions, used to buy cannabis, without conducting medical examinations or taking patient histories.
Officials also found documents bearing the name of a government official, which they said amounted to document forgery.
Deputy Interior Ministers Polpheer Suwannachee and Vorasit Liangprasit led the joint raids, which involved five agencies, including the Department of Provincial Administration's Special Operations Unit, along with provincial and district officials.
They targeted the Pahili Pool Villas and Dreamy Ocean hotels, along with the Lion Rolling and Kokokush cannabis dispensaries.
Authorities said the establishments will be charged with the relevant offences and penalties.
The suspects and seized evidence were handed over to inquiry officers at Koh Phangan Police Station for further legal action.
The operation followed a visit by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to the island a few months ago, sparking follow-up investigations into illegal practices.
The Royal Thai Police had previously cracked down on illegal businesses in major tourist destinations across six provinces, including Surat Thani, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi and Chonburi.
Past investigations covered a total of 233 plots of land and structures, spanning more than 160 rai and valued at approximately 2.539 billion baht.
The courts approved a total of 133 arrest warrants, with 20 cases resulting in convictions.
Police said they have launched the sixth phase of a crackdown on nominee business networks in the Hua Hin district in Prachuap Khiri Khan, on August 10.
