Thai authorities arrested two Israeli citizens on suspicion of business and real estate crimes as part of a wider crackdown on foreigners circumventing the country’s laws.
On Tuesday, police in Thailand arrested an Israeli citizen at Koh Samui airport on suspicion of being involved in the purchase of land through Thai frontmen, in an attempt to circumvent the restrictions on foreigners purchasing real estate.
The Thai government is increasing enforcement of these laws following complaints from its citizens that foreigners are stealing their livelihoods in the city’s tourist areas.
According to local media, Surat Thani immigration police, in collaboration with Koh Phangan Police Station, arrested Eden Elisa, a 30 year old Israeli citizen who was one of the owners of “Elisa Paradise” in Thailand. He is suspected of having, along with others, provided false information to the land registry in order to gain control of a plot of land through the company allegedly established by Thai citizens.
Elisa reportedly left the country before authorities carried out a search warrant and was arrested at the airport upon re-entering Thailand.
Last week, authorities arrested another Israeli citizen on suspicion of illegally operating a business through Thai frontmen and providing false information on official documents.
Israel DJ Gal Goren, 39, was arrested on suspicion of illegally operating a recording studio.
On the same day, an American citizen and a Spanish citizen were also arrested on suspicion of working without a permit.
The arrest, carried out by the tourist police, immigration police, and Pai district officials based on an arrest warrant from the district court, is also part of a broader operation against illegal foreign businesses in areas such as Pai, Koh Phangan, and Samui, where mainly Israelis, Russians, and Chinese operate. In April, authorities arrested an Israeli travel agency owner who operated on the island of Phuket.
Thai authorities are continuing their efforts to thwart the takeover of real estate and businesses by foreigners, with an emphasis on Israelis.
Under the direction of the Thai government, the country’s police have been acting vigorously and in a high-profile manner in recent months against foreigners who purchase land or operate businesses while using Thai citizens to hide foreign ownership, and last month another extensive operation was launched, which according to police reports has already led to the issuance of 45 arrest warrants.
So far, 27 suspects have been arrested, while efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining 18.
