An Iranian couple were arrested for allegedly running an illegal private school on a Thai island.
Aidin Kishipoor and Ndin Kishipoor, both 45, opened the Arki Kid international school on party island Koh Phangan.
The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) said the establishment was licensed as a daycare centre for 18 children aged two to five.
But authorities found there were actually 144 children enrolled, including 122 Israelis, two Germans, two French nationals, and 18 children of other nationalities.
The discovery was made during crackdowns on illegal foreign-owned businesses on the island.
Police raided the school on May 2, and arrested the couple, as well as Thai national, Prathumthip Yu-in, 61.
They were charged with illegally operating a private informal school, employing foreigners without work permits, failing to report the employment of foreigners, and failing to comply with child protection laws and regulations.
Three South Africans and an American were also charged with working without permits at the school.
A French woman and a South African woman who held work permits were prosecuted for failing to report their employer and the nature of their work.
The school reportedly charged tuition fees of 64,000 baht per child per semester, according to its website which has now been taken down.
The website previously said: 'While we don't adhere strictly to an external curriculum, we align our approach with international education standards to ensure that our students acquire the same foundational knowledge as their peers in other international schools.'
The Immigration Bureau said inspections of other childcare centres and private schools on Koh Phangan found no further violations.
Officials said 2,641 foreigners on the island currently hold visa extensions of more than 30 days. The largest groups were 369 Israelis, 335 Russians, 291 Britons, 283 French nationals and 210 Germans, alongside 1,153 people from other countries.
Since January 1, police on the island have taken legal action against 141 foreigners, including 47 Myanmar nationals, 16 Israelis, 13 Russians, eight Americans and seven Germans. The offences ranged from traffic violations and drug-related crimes to illegal employment.
Authorities also pursued 23 cases involving Thai nationals acting as nominee shareholders between 2024 and the present.
Koh Phangan is one of the most popular destinations in Thailand, attracting backpackers, digital nomads and long-stay visitors.
However, the island's Srithanu area has become known for its large Israeli community, with Israeli-owned cafes, restaurants and wellness businesses.
Their strong presence has earned parts of the island the nickname 'Little Israel' or the 'Second Tel Aviv'.
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