Five Russians, two Ukrainians and One Burmese (from Myanmar) have been arrested by local Police in Koh Phangan for allegedly running an unregistered day care center for foreign children, in the province of Surat Thani.
A Bangkok Post report says that the center was located in Moo 4 village of tambon Ban Tai on Tuesday afternoon.
The alleged suspects are three Russian women, two Russian men, a male and female Ukrainian, and a woman from Myanmar. The suspects in question are aged between 40-50 years old.
In its initial investigation, the day care center opened about four months ago and was attended by around 20 foreign children residing on Koh Phangan.
In a separate Khaosod English Facebook post, personnel from the immigration and local Thai police raided the Koh Phangan International Church along Moo 4, Koh Phangan in Surat Thani Province for allegedly operating as an unauthorized school, last January 29.
190 Burmese students with 4 Burmese teachers were caught during the raid. They explained that the parents of the Burmese students worked as laborers on the island and didn’t have time to look after their children during working hours. The school charges 300-500 per student per month.
The same report continues that all involved were charged with “jointly establishing an unauthorized formal school” and “foreigners working without a work permit.”
Officials also confiscated 31 textbooks from Myanmar as evidence and sent all suspects to investigators at the Koh Phangan Police Station.