KOH PHANGAN, THAILAND – Authorities on Koh Phangan closed two allegedly illegal foreign-run childcare facilities and detained several suspects over missing permits and other violations.
Raids on 4 April: Two facilities closed
Local authorities said they shut down two unlicensed daycare operations on Koh Phangan on 4 April, both located in Moo 7. The facilities were described as illegal day-care services that were being run without the required approvals.
The suspects were handed over to Koh Phangan police so that further legal steps could be initiated. Officials stated the raids formed part of ongoing checks targeting unlicensed childcare on the island.
First site: 13 children cared for in a house
At the first location, a house in Moo 7, police reported that 13 toddlers from foreign families were being looked after. Officers at the scene arrested three people.
Those detained were identified as Israeli national Tahel Cherone Edri (34) as the operator, Israeli teacher Rotem Mitrany (45) and Myanmar worker Hsu Sanda Pyae Sone (28). They were accused, among other offences, of operating a childcare service without a licence and failing to report foreign employees to the authorities.
Second site: Care for 10 children aged 2 to 5
During a second search, also in Moo 7, authorities found another daycare facility with 10 children aged between two and five. This operation was also alleged to have been run without the necessary official authorisation.
The operator was named as Anat Vekstein Kimiagar (40), while local teacher Kulthida (28) was also reported. Both were charged with running an unlicensed childcare facility.
Allegations under investigation
According to police, the investigations focused on breaches of licensing requirements for childcare institutions. In the first case, there was an additional allegation that foreign workers had not been properly registered with the authorities.
All of the accused were transferred to Koh Phangan police, where proceedings were to continue. Officers said the next legal steps would be examined and pursued.
Follow-up to earlier checks on Koh Phangan
Authorities pointed out that there had already been previous crackdowns on illegally operated, foreign-run daycares on the island. They referred to cases from March 2024.
At that time, a US citizen and another Israeli national were said to have offered childcare without a licence. Officials stated that the latest raids were a continuation of those earlier enforcement measures.
Authorities warn of risks to child safety
Official agencies stressed that unlicensed daycare facilities could pose risks to the safety of children. They said compliance with regulations would therefore continue to be subject to strict control.
With these operations, authorities said they aimed to ensure that childcare took place only under legally prescribed standards and conditions. Further measures to enforce the law were announced.
“Should inspections against unlicensed childcare on islands like Koh Phangan be further expanded, or are clearer rules and more legal options for foreign families needed above all?”
said the article’s authors, in a public call for opinion.
“How do you see it: Is this primarily about child protection, about labour and immigration law – or about both?”
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