Wheel of misfortune: Hungarian bike boss in hot seat in Thailand
A Hungarian national has been nabbed on Koh Pha Ngan for allegedly running a motorbike rental business in a job reserved for Thai citizens.
Police Colonel Apichart Chansamret, head of Koh Pha Ngan police, reported that 40 year old Laszlo Meszaros was arrested at his rented home in Tambon Koh Pha Ngan. During the operation, officers seized an air gun from him.
This clampdown follows complaints from tourists claiming Meszaros was often spotted with an air gun and allegedly threatened clients over motorbike damages or unpaid rental fees.
He also faced accusations of seizing renters’ passports. Officials uncovered 29 passports belonging to other tourists at his residence.
Investigations revealed that Meszaros entered Thailand on a tourist visa, lacking a work permit, and possessed nine motorbikes for hire.
While Meszaros denied intimidating customers with the air gun, he faces charges for encroaching on a Thai-only occupation. He remains in police custody as legal proceedings continue, confirmed Pol. Col. Apichart, reported Bangkok Post.
Foreigners operating illegal businesses in Thailand is nothing new. There have been a spate of arrests recently.
Earlier this month a Myanmar national was arrested for running a motorcycle rental business on Koh Pha Ngan. He was earning 20,000 baht per day in a profession restricted to Thai citizens. His employee, also from Myanmar, was likewise detained.
Tourist Police, immigration officers, and local officials carried out a raid at a motorcycle repair shop in Ban Hat Rin, Village 6, Ban Tai subdistrict. During the operation they apprehended the business owner, 40-year-old Than Zin Soe, along with his 39-year-old employee, Win Naing.
Meanwhile, Tourist Police in Pattaya arrested 25 foreign nationals for working illegally at pool villa construction sites, uncovering a growing network of unlawfully operated, foreign-run property developments.
The operation, led by Police Colonel Man Rotthong, focused on Chinese investors suspected of building villa rentals that effectively function as unlicensed hotels.
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