The immigration services of Surat Thani carried out a large-scale inspection operation on Koh Tao island, resulting in the arrest of six European nationals and three Burmese female workers.
On 20 August, the Thai authorities raided four establishments on Koh Tao island, in Surat Thani province. Two diving centres, a pharmacy and a beauty salon were targeted as part of a joint operation conducted by immigration, local police and health services.
Six diving instructors were detained. They are MR. ADAM, a British national, along with five Spaniards: MR. XAVIER, MR. PABLO, MS. PAULINA, MS. SANDRA and MS. NURIA. All were using a DTV visa, intended for remote work, to carry out their activity illegally.
Photo : Khaosod
Photo : Khaosod
Photo : Khaosod
Photo : Khaosod
Photo : Khaosod
Photo : Khaosod
Photo : Khaosod
Photo : Khaosod
Investigators are now considering expanding the investigations to determine whether Thai companies acted as nominees for foreign employers.
In a pharmacy, a Burmese national, Ms. Za Shi Lin, was arrested for selling medicines without the supervision of a qualified pharmacist. At the beauty salon on Sairee beach, two other Burmese nationals, Ms. Sin Sin Myo and Ms. Tin Tin Wei, were detained while offering manicure services, an activity reserved for Thai nationals.
Between 1 January and 19 August 2026, the immigration services have already carried out 47 arrests on the island for offences related to illegal work, immigration and pharmaceutical legislation.