SURAT THANI, THAILAND – An Israeli bar and restaurant operator on Koh Phangan was arrested as the island’s suspected leading drug dealer, with police seizing narcotics valued at more than 50 million baht.
Arrest on the tourist island
Authorities said 42-year-old Israeli Shai Alfasi was detained on Friday on Koh Phangan, a popular southern island province for international visitors. Police officers stated that he rode a Honda ADV 350 motorbike to a pre-arranged meeting point, where undercover officers posing as buyers were waiting.
Bar and restaurant as alleged cover
According to Pol Lt Gen Saksira Phuek-am, commander of the Tourist Police Bureau, Alfasi operated the Lola Bar and an associated restaurant in the Hat Hin Kong area as a legal front. Investigators described him as the most significant figure identified so far in a multi-day drug crackdown on the island.
“He ran the Lola Bar and its restaurant in the Hat Hin Kong area as a legal facade.”
said Pol Lt Gen Saksira Phuek-am, commander of the Tourist Police Bureau.
Drug sales via WhatsApp and coded sock drops
Police reported that Alfasi sold drugs via the WhatsApp Business application, using a Hebrew name to conceal his real identity. Customers were said to receive photos of pre-arranged locations where the drugs had been left in black socks, with buyers paying by replacing the narcotics with cash in the same socks.
“He used WhatsApp Business with a Hebrew name and hid the drugs in black socks at agreed locations, where customers left the money.”
said investigating officers.
Large haul of narcotics in luggage
After the arrest, officers searched Alfasi’s luggage and inspected hidden compartments where they found various illegal substances. Seized items included cocaine, ketamine, MDMA, LSD in so‑called “death stamps” form, heroin, magic mushrooms and ecstasy tablets shaped like Labubu figures, with police estimating the total value at more than 50 million baht.
“The total value of the seized narcotics is estimated at more than 50 million baht.”
said police officials.
Part of island-wide anti-drug operation
Pol Lt Gen Saksira stated that the arrest formed part of a major anti-drug operation on Koh Phangan that had been under way since Monday. As part of this island-wide crackdown, six suspects had been detained to date, with Alfasi considered by authorities to be the most important suspect arrested on Koh Phangan so far.
“This arrest is linked to a major drug crackdown on Koh Phangan, during which six suspects have been detained so far.”
said Pol Lt Gen Saksira Phuek-am.