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- Full Moon Party at Koh Phangan island attracts over 9000 tourists
The popular Full Moon Party and the Loy Krathong festival on Koh Phangan drew more than 9,000 tourists on Friday
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The popular Full Moon Party and the Loy Krathong festival on Koh Phangan drew more than 9,000 tourists on Friday night, with the situation returning to normal by morning despite rumours of a possible threat to Israeli tourists on the island.
Haad Rin, a peninsular beach area on Koh Phangan and the venue of the Full Moon Party, was packed with Thai and foreign travellers, about 90% of whom were foreigners. Activities also took place to celebrate the annual Loy Krathong festival.
Pol Maj Gen Sermphan Sirikhong, chief of the Surat Thani police, assigned his deputy, Pol Col Paisarn Sangthep, to oversee the situation alongside Pol Col Panya Niratmanon, chief of the Koh Phangan police.
Police patrols, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) officers and tourist police were deployed to ensure the safety of visitors until Saturday morning. Many revellers returned to their hotels around 6.30am, and police facilitated those wanting to board ferries to Koh Samui.
Ratchaporn Poonsawat, chairman of the Koh Samui tourism promotion association, said on Saturday that fake news associated with the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan has affected tourism for both islands. While the party has generated significant income for local businesses at the end of the low season, such misinformation could undermine tourist confidence.
He urged caution when sharing news on social media, referencing reports about a potential terror plot against Israelis during the Full Moon Party. Security authorities had previously dismissed these reports as false.
Mr Ratchaporn said tourism has significantly improved, with rising numbers of European and Indian visitors, and a fivefold increase in South Korean tourists this year.
“In December, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are entering the high tourism season. Useful information should be provided to tourists. People should help promote the beauty (of the three tourist islands) and safety during the New Year,” said Mr Ratchaporn. “So far, there have been no cancellations. Officials are working together to ensure the safety of visitors, making sure that crimes, thefts, or terror attacks will not occur.”
Tourists can be assured that Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are safe, he added.
Read the full story at Bangkok Post – Full Moon Party attracts over 9,000 tourists which was brought to us by Google Alerts.
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17 November 17 2024Full Moon Partyhttps://kohphangannews.org/?p=4722 - Island authorities assure Koh Phangan is safe
Security officials debunk reports of possible terror plot against Israelis at Full Moon Party Security authorities in Surat Thani province
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Security officials debunk reports of possible terror plot against Israelis at Full Moon Party
Security authorities in Surat Thani province have offered assurances that Koh Phangan is safe, dismissing reports about a possible terror plot against Israelis on the tourist island as untrue.
They were responding on Wednesday to the news that Israeli authorities had advised their nationals in Thailand to remain vigilant following reports that they might be targeted during the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan on Friday.
Israeli media outlets said the reports of a possible threat were contained in internal Thai police documents. Police reportedly have been carrying out intensive operations in response to the alerts, which were based on “concrete information”, the Israeli news site Ynet said, without elaborating.
Noppadol Khaomali, chief of the Koh Phangan district office in Surat Thani province, called a press conference on Wednesday to discuss the reports. He was joined by Pol Col Panya Niratmanon, the chief of Koh Phangan police and representatives of other agencies.
They said the reports circulating on various local and international media outlets had caused confusion. Police and local officials, they said, were duty-bound to conduct patrols on the island as part of normal security measures during the Loy Krathong festival and the Full Moon Party, which will both take place on Friday.
Reports of a terror plot against Israelis on Koh Phangan were groundless, said police investigators on the island.
Pol Maj Gen Sermphong Sirikhong, chief of the Surat Thani police, said safety measures had been increased to boost confidence among tourists of all nationalities on Koh Phangan.
Natthriya Thaweevong, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, said security agencies and provincial authorities had investigated the reports of a terror plot on Koh Phangan and found they were mere rumour-mongering without factual evidence.
Police, soldiers and local officials have conducted joint patrols to ensure the safety of tourists during Loy Krathong and the Full Moon Party, she added.
The National Security Council in Israel said it had not changed its assessment of the threat level in Thailand, the Times of Israel reported. However, it called on Israelis to remain alert.
Theerut Supawiboonphol, the deputy governor of Surat Thani, said officials told him they had not noted any reports about movements of suspicious people in the area.
However, he has instructed security personnel to increase measures to search suspicious items and people entering Koh Phangan to ensure safety.
On Wednesday afternoon, many foreign tourists boarded a ferry at Koh Samui pier to Koh Phangan, with tourist police and patrol officers keeping a close eye on activity.
Read the full story at Bangkok Post – Authorities assure Koh Phangan is safe which was brought to us by Google Alerts.
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14 November 14 2024Full Moon Partyhttps://kohphangannews.org/?p=4717 - Possible threat at next Full Moon Party? Israelis on Koh Phangan urged to be cautious!
Israeli authorities have advised their nationals in Thailand to remain vigilant following reports that they might be targeted during the
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Israeli authorities have advised their nationals in Thailand to remain vigilant following reports that they might be targeted during the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan this coming Friday, the Times of Israel reports.
The Mossad and the National Security Council issued the caution following a report that Thai police had warned in internal documents of fears of a plot to carry out a terror attack against Israelis in the country.
Specifically, the alert was said to focus on the famous monthly Full Moon Party, according to Ynet, the online outlet of the Hebrew-language newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.
Koh Phangan, and its parties, are very popular with young Israelis.
According to Ynet, Thai police have been carrying out intensive operations in recent days over the alerts, which are based on concrete information.
In response to the report, the Mossad and National Security Council said: “Over recent months, Israeli security services in cooperation with Thai security have acted to thwart several incidents” in the country.
“Since Oct 7 and the war [in Gaza], Iran and its proxies have intensified their efforts to harm Israeli and Jewish targets around the world.”
The National Security Council said it had not changed its threat level in Thailand, the Times of Israel reported.
However, it called on Israelis to remain alert; avoid outwardly displaying Israeli or Jewish identity; avoid large-scale events known to be associated with Israelis; avoid publishing their travel plans in advance on social media; and contact local security regarding any suspicions of hostile action targeting Israelis or Jews.
Read the full story at Bangkok Post – Israelis in Thailand urged to be vigilant which was brought to us by Google Alerts.
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14 November 14 2024Full Moon Partyhttps://kohphangannews.org/?p=4714 - Foreigners working illegally – Russian, Turk arrested for working without permits on Koh Phangan
Tourist police arrested a Russian man and a Turkish man for working without permits on Koh Phangan on Thursday. A
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Tourist police arrested a Russian man and a Turkish man for working without permits on Koh Phangan on Thursday.
A 34-year-old Russian was arrested in front of an eatery in Moo 1 village while installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) and audio-visual systems.
Police seized CCTV cameras, conduit pipes, wires and a tool set from him.
He told police that he was employed as a marketing manager of a company earning 41,300 baht per month. His employer also assigned him additional work in audio-visual installations, bringing his total monthly income to 70,000-100,000 baht.
In a separate operation, a 45-year-old Turkish national was arrested at a shop in Moo 8 village while using a drill to install electronic devices. He said he accepted the job because his employer promised him a stake in the business.
Read the full story at Bangkok Post – Russian, Turk arrested for working without permits on Koh Phangan which was brought to us by Google Alerts.
Photo credit @ Bangkok Post | A foreigner installs a CCTV system outside an eatery on Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, on Thursday before being arrested for working without a permit. (Photo: Assawin Pakkawan)
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19 September 19 2024General Newshttps://kohphangannews.org/?p=4709 - Foreigners working illegally – Burmese barber arrested on Koh Phangan island
Thai police recently apprehended an illegal Burmese national working as a barber in Koh Phangan, earning nearly 50,000 baht monthly.
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Thai police recently apprehended an illegal Burmese national working as a barber in Koh Phangan, earning nearly 50,000 baht monthly. The arrest took place following reports of foreign workers taking jobs from locals.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Winij Boonchit received a tip about an unauthorised foreign worker and led a team to arrest 20 year old Wai Yan Kyaw at an unregistered residence in Koh Phangan. The officers confiscated a full set of barber tools.
Kyaw faces charges of entering and staying in Thailand without permission and working without a valid work permit. He was handed over to Koh Phangan police for further legal proceedings.
Kyaw admitted to working as a barber for a year, primarily serving foreign and Burmese clients. He advertised his services in Burmese and English on the Facebook group ‘Koh Phangan Jobs‘ under the name ‘Hair Cut Wai Yan Kyaw‘.
Prices varied based on the hairstyle, starting at 300 baht. Kyaw moved locations based on client appointments, with clients covering fuel costs for the travel. His daily earnings ranged from 1,000 to 2,000 baht, amounting to a monthly income of 30,000 to 45,000 baht, depending on the number of customers.
Kyaw confessed to entering Thailand illegally through Ranong province, paying a fee of 20,000 baht to an unidentified Thai individual for assistance, reported KhaoSod.
Read the full story at KhaoSod – รวบหนุ่มพม่า ลอบเข้าไทย ยึดอาชีพช่างตัดผม รายได้ดี โกยเดือนเกือบครึ่งแสน which was brought to us by Google Alerts.
Photo credit @ KhaoSod
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17 September 17 2024Full Moon Partyhttps://kohphangannews.org/?p=4705 - Australian rape suspect arrested on Koh Phangan island
A 62-year-old Australian man has been arrested on Koh Phangan in connection with 15 sexual abuse and rape cases in
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A 62-year-old Australian man has been arrested on Koh Phangan in connection with 15 sexual abuse and rape cases in his country.
Police arrested Helio Taiyang Richardson at a resort on the tourist island on Thursday after receiving an Interpol red notice for him.
Mr Richardson is accused of multiple sexual assaults and rapes in a total of 15 cases in Australia dating back to 2017.
Police said he entered Thailand on June 16 with a tourist visa that he renewed for another 30 days, which expired on Aug 15. He had also applied for a retirement visa but that decision was put on hold after Immigration police received the red notice from Interpol.
Mr Richardson will be deported to face multiple charges in home country Australia, police said.
Read the full story at Bangkok Post – Australian rape suspect arrested on Koh Phangan which was brought to us by Google Alerts.
Photo credit @ Bangkok Post | Immigration officers question an Australian man on Koh Phangan on Thursday following his arrest on an international warrant in connection with multiple sexual assaults and rapes in his home country. (Photo: Surapong Chaolan)
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15 September 15 2024General Newshttps://kohphangannews.org/?p=4701 - Foreigners working illegally – Canadian masseur arrested on Koh Phangan island
A Canadian man who provided massage therapy services on Koh Phangan has been arrested for working in an occupation reserved
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A Canadian man who provided massage therapy services on Koh Phangan has been arrested for working in an occupation reserved for Thai nationals.
Tourist police and immigration officers arrested Ky Jablonowski, 48, during a raid on a room at Kissmoon Village resort on the tourist island on Friday.
Officers seized his massage bed. As he appeared to be acting suspiciously, officers searched him and found a sachet of MDMA in his pants pocket. He said a friend gave him the drug while they went out together.
During questioning, he told the officers that he had been working as a massage therapist and also taught massage. His fees were 3,000 baht per session. He had a website and also took bookings for massage services and courses on WhatsApp.
Mr Jablonowski was charged with working in an occupation not permitted for foreign nationals and possession of a category 1 drug. He was handed over to the Koh Phangan police station for legal action.
Read the full story at Bangkok Post – Illegal Canadian masseur arrested on Koh Phangan which was brought to us by Google Alerts.
Photo credit @ Bangkok Post | Canadian massage therapist Ky Jablonowski (left) answers questions following his arrest while providing a massage in his resort room on Koh Phangan on Friday. (Photo: Assawin Pakkawan)
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8 September 08 2024General Newshttps://kohphangannews.org/?p=4697 - Foreigners working illegally – Austrian tour guide arrested on Koh Phangan island
An Austrian man has been arrested for allegedly working as a tour guide on Koh Phangan in this southern province.
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An Austrian man has been arrested for allegedly working as a tour guide on Koh Phangan in this southern province.
Tourist police said they arrested the man, identified only as Guenter, at an eatery on the island on Wednesday. He was accompanied by two foreign tourists and was driving a Toyota Hilux Revo pickup truck registered in Surat Thani.
During questioning, Guenter admitted to running an illegal tour guide service, charging each client 2,000 baht. He had been providing the service for two years.
The two tourists said they were referred to the Austrian by a German friend through a chat application. Guenter had picked them up from their hotel earlier that day and taken them to several attractions, including Bottle Beach Viewpoint, Than Sadet waterfall and Samai Kongka temple. The total fee for the tour was 4,000 baht.
The Austrian faces charges of working without a permit and illegally operating as a tour guide.
In Thailand, a number of jobs, including tour guides, are restricted to Thai citizens only.
Read the full story at Bangkok Post – Illegal Austrian tour guide arrested on Koh Phangan which was brought to us by Google Alerts.
Photo credit @ Bangkok Post | Tourist police on Koh Phangan pose for pictures with the Austrian man, seated, following the arrest on Wednesday. (Photo: police)
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8 September 08 2024General Newshttps://kohphangannews.org/?p=4692 - Foreigners working illegally – British man arrested for illegal Botox Clinic on Koh Phangan
On Koh Phangan in Surat Thani province, police on Monday arrested Thomas Foley, 42, at a rented house for illegally
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On Koh Phangan in Surat Thani province, police on Monday arrested Thomas Foley, 42, at a rented house for illegally operating a clinic, selling medicine, possessing unregistered medicine and working without a permit. It is alleged he illegally provided cosmetic “filler” injections.
Police seized cosmetic products worth about 3.5 million baht.
Mr Foley was being held pending further legal action.
Read the full story at Bangkok Post – Two Brits arrested, one fugitive and an illegal cosmetician which was brought to us by Google Alerts.
Photo credit @ Bangkok Post | Officials search the rented house where Thomas Foley allegedly provided a cosmetic injection service on Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, on Monday. (Police photo)
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4 September 04 2024General Newshttps://kohphangannews.org/?p=4689 - Foreigners working illegally – Russian, Ukrainian illegally renting out vehicles on Koh Phangan
An elderly Russian and a young Ukrainian man were arrested on Sunday for illegally offering vehicles for rent on Koh
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An elderly Russian and a young Ukrainian man were arrested on Sunday for illegally offering vehicles for rent on Koh Phangan island.
Tourist police and local officials arrested the 60-year-old Russian man at an unregistered house, and impounded a Mazda CX-3 car, in Moo 1 village. The 18-year-old Ukrainian was apprehended at a hotel parking lot, and a motorcycle impounded.
According to police, the Russian admitted offering the car for lease on the Telegram chat app and charging 15,000 baht per month. The car was registered in Surat Thani. His clients were Russians.
The Ukrainian said he was a student and wanted to generate income through renting out a Yamaha Xmax motorcycle registered in Lop Buri province. He also used the Telegram app. He charged clients from 399-10,000 baht, depending on the rental period.
Both were charged with working in Thailand without a permit.
Photo credit @ Bangkok Post | The Ukrainian man is arrested with the rental motorcycle on Sunday. Read the full story at Bangkok Post – Russian, Ukrainian caught illegally renting out vehicles which was brought to us by Google Alerts.
Photo credit @ Bangkok Post | Police impound the rental car during the arrest on Koh Phangan in Surat Thani on Sunday
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4 September 04 2024General Newshttps://kohphangannews.org/?p=4684