Ex-Israeli soldier busted for moonlighting as Koh Pha Ngan guide
An ex-Israeli special forces soldier swapped the battlefield for the beaches – but his jungle jaunts with kids have landed him in hot water, after being busted for playing tour guide on Koh Pha Ngan without a permit.
Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phueak-am, Commander of the Tourist Police Bureau, yesterday, April 8, ordered a crackdown after receiving a tip-off that a foreign man was illegally operating as a tour guide, a job strictly reserved for Thai nationals.
The man, identified only as 45 year old David, was spotted shuttling a group of foreign kids to the Wang Sai Waterfall in a van, after previously visiting Wat Madeua Wan.
Tourist Police moved in and questioned David, who confessed he was a former member of the Israeli special forces, with “extensive training and battlefield experience” before turning his hand to guiding tours for Israeli families on the island.
Officers scoured his phone and uncovered a WhatsApp group called Seeing Nature with Uncle, a private group where parents could sign their children up for island adventures.
Rates were reportedly 800 baht per child per day, or 6,000 to 8,000 baht for a weekly package. The nature trips included visits to Wat Madeua Wan, Wang Sai Waterfall, Hat Khom and the Zoo Cafe.
David was promptly slapped with multiple charges:
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Being a foreigner operating a tourism business without a licence
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Acting as a tour guide without permission
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Working in an occupation not permitted for foreigners
He was taken to Koh Pha Ngan Police Station for further legal action.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Saksira said tourist police would be doubling efforts during Songkran 2025 to crack down on foreign nationals illegally working in tourist hotspots.
“These jobs are reserved for Thais, and we will not tolerate anyone flouting the law.”
Under Thai law, there are a number of protected occupations that foreigners are strictly forbidden from doing, including:
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Tour guiding
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Hairdressing or barbering
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Driving motor vehicles for hire (e.g. taxi drivers)
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Street vending
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Craftwork and traditional Thai handicrafts
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Labour and construction
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Agricultural work and fishing
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Accounting
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Legal services
Foreigners caught working illegally risk fines, deportation and blacklisting, so unless you’re properly licensed, it’s best to leave the tour guiding to the locals.
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