Coral Island company apologizes for Turks’ arrests

PHUKET: A company has admitted to ‘making a mistake’ by allowing two Turkish men to work for them on Koh Hei, also know as Coral Island, without work permits.

Ahmet Komurco, 37 and Altin Cern Salih, 49, were arrested on Thursday by plainclothes police for working illegally as customer service employees for Coral Management.

“After receiving a complaint about foreigners selling tour packages on the island, we sent in a couple undercover officers,” said Capt Kritsathorn Uthong of the Phuket Tourist Police. “The officers ordered food and were served by the men.”

Neither man was able to supply the officers with a work permit. Both had entered Thailand on tourist visas.

“Mr Salih confessed to working for the company for about five months without a work permit. He said he was paid 30,000 baht. Mr Kumurco told us he was taking part in an internship.”

The two men, and Coral Island Company representative Ing-Orn Komerdoo, were taken to Chalong Police Station for further questioning.

“We made a mistake in allowing them to work. We are in the process of securing a work permit for Mr Salih, but still needed to set aside the 2 million baht in capital,” Ms Ing-On told the Gazette today.

“However, Mr Komurco was not working for us. He is a friend of the owner of the company and was here to visit his girlfriend. While on the island, he was observing how the restaurant and spa worked.

“It is important for the public to understand that neither man had any intentions of doing anything illegal.”

Nonetheless, Mr Salih and Mr Kumurco were charged for working in Thailand illegally.

— Winai Sarot