Arrogant Lebanese man, 46, arrested on Koh Phangan for running an illegal motorcycle rental business after sneaking back into Thailand on a tourist visa. He had been deported over a year earlier for the same crime. Tourist police vow to throw the book at him.
Tourist Police on Koh Phangan are preparing to throw the book at an arrogant and defiant Lebanese man arrested on the island Monday. The 46-year-old, identified as Mr. Jon, erupted in anger after officers caught him running an illegal motorcycle rental business at the Key King shop in central Koh Phangan. He failed to produce a single valid document. Police later discovered he was in Thailand on a 60-day tourist visa — despite having been deported in 2024 for the exact same offense.
A Lebanese man previously deported from Thailand for working illegally has been arrested again on Koh Phangan after returning on a tourist visa. Police say the man, identified as Mr. Jon, 46, resumed his illegal vehicle rental business only months after being expelled from the country. His reappearance and defiance have reignited concerns about foreign offenders exploiting tourist visas and weak enforcement loopholes on Thailand’s resort islands.
Tourist police apprehended Mr. Jon on October 13, 2025, after a local resident complained about a foreigner running an unauthorised rental service in front of the Key King shop in Moo 1, Koh Phangan subdistrict, Surat Thani province.
Acting swiftly, officers observed him dealing with a female foreign customer. He was seen checking a motorcycle, refuelling it, and collecting a cash payment before instructing the woman on how to ride the bike in a nearby alley.
Police uncover illegal Koh Phangan rental business run by deported Lebanese man using tourist visa
When police revealed their identities, Mr. Jon appeared startled but quickly grew confrontational. Officers asked for his documents, and he produced only a TR-60 tourist visa. He had no work permit and no authorisation to operate a business in Thailand. As a result, he was immediately detained.
During the operation, police seized twelve motorcycles and one passenger van, all of which were linked to his business. The vehicles carried license plates from six southern provinces, including Surat Thani, Krabi, Phuket, Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Yala.
The wide range of registration plates suggested a larger operation than expected. Authorities also confiscated a mobile phone used for contacting clients.
During questioning, Mr. Jon admitted that he managed the rentals through WhatsApp under the alias “Jean.” He claimed to represent the Key King shop and charged between ฿250 and ฿350 per day. Most of his customers were Israeli tourists visiting the island for short stays. According to police, the method was simple but effective, exploiting online convenience and the trust of unsuspecting travellers.
Illegal scheme used WhatsApp to lure Israeli tourists with cheap motorcycle deals on Koh Phangan
At the scene, the Key King shop owner, Ms. Saichai, identified herself to police. She told officers that she and Mr. Jon had once been married but had long since divorced. Out of sympathy, she had allowed him to use the space in front of her shop.
She insisted she had no role in his business operations and received no share of profits. According to her, Mr. Jon invested about ฿200,000 of his own money to start the rental service. He even used her shop’s logo and stickers to deceive both customers and officials.
Investigators later confirmed that Mr. Jon was no first-time offender. In April 2024, he had been arrested in Thailand for illegally driving a water delivery truck. Following that arrest, he was deported and banned from employment under Thai labour law. Yet, despite those sanctions, he returned to Thailand on a tourist visa and immediately resumed his illegal business activities.
Police Lieutenant General Saky Sira Puek-um, Commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau, has ordered intensified crackdowns on foreign nationals breaking Thai law in major tourism zones. His policy focuses on Koh Phangan, Phuket, Samui, and Pattaya — all popular destinations where enforcement has proven difficult. Officials say repeat offenders like Mr. Jon test the limits of visa control and damage the country’s reputation among legitimate visitors.
Defiant suspect mocks officers as police expand crackdown on foreign offenders in resort zones
According to officers at the scene, Mr. Jon showed no remorse during his arrest. Instead, he mocked police, laughed loudly, and even clapped his hands in defiance. Witnesses said he threatened to sue the arresting officers, claiming they had “no right” to stop him. Police described his attitude as arrogant and disrespectful. Even in custody, he reportedly continued to shout and boast about his connections.
After the arrest, Tourist Police transferred Mr. Jon to the Koh Phangan Tourist Police Service Unit for processing. He was charged with working without a permit and operating a business without authorisation. Both offences carry fines, imprisonment, and deportation under Thai law. Authorities also began reviewing his visa status for immediate cancellation.
Meanwhile, the seized motorcycles and van are being held as evidence pending further investigation. Officers are checking whether any vehicles were leased or registered under false names to conceal ownership. Police believe Mr. Jon may have used Thai associates to help register vehicles across several provinces, a common tactic among foreign offenders seeking to avoid detection.
Police probe network behind illegal rental ring as calls grow for tougher enforcement on resort islands
Officials say the case highlights ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement on resort islands. While tourism drives local economies, it also attracts individuals who exploit the system for profit.
Tourist Police Superintendent Police Lieutenant Colonel Winij Bunchit, who led the operation, said his team coordinated with immigration and local authorities after receiving the initial complaint. “We will continue to investigate all foreign-run businesses operating without proper authorisation,” he stated.
Moreover, authorities are calling for stronger cooperation among government agencies to prevent deported foreigners from easily re-entering the country. Repeat offenders often use new passports or alternative routes to return, complicating immigration checks. The Tourist Police Bureau has begun sharing data more closely with Immigration Police to identify high-risk individuals.
For local residents and legitimate business owners, the case has become a warning. Illegal operators not only evade taxes but also undercut lawful rental shops, creating unfair competition and safety risks. Police reminded tourists to rent only from licensed operators displaying proper business registration and insurance.
Tourist police warn that stronger border controls and visa checks are key to ending repeat foreign offences
As Mr. Jon awaits prosecution, police say they will push for strict penalties and another deportation. However, they admit the problem will not end there unless immigration loopholes are tightened.
Despite previous deportation, he had managed to return and restart his business within months — a clear sign, officials say, that enforcement and visa monitoring must improve.
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Finally, this latest Koh Phangan arrest has exposed the persistence of foreign offenders who disregard Thai laws for personal gain. It also highlights the determination of tourist police to protect the country’s tourism image through visible, decisive enforcement. Yet, as this case shows, tougher coordination and stronger border controls remain essential to stop repeat violators from turning paradise into their playground for profit.
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