Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum, Commander of Phuket Provincial Police, alongside other senior officers from the Crime Suppression Division, announced the arrests on Friday (Feb 7).
The raids were carried out under search warrants issued by the Phuket Provincial Court and focused on a daycare center in Pa Khlok, a childcare facility in Cherng Talay, and a Muay Thai gym in Chalong.
Under search warrant No. 28/2568, officers inspected the Chunga Changa daycare centre in baan Suan Neramit in Moo 8, Pa Khlok, Pa Klok, which was found to be operated as a juristic person.
Ten foreign children aged 2-4 were present at the facility.
A Russian national, named by police only as ‘Mrs Alina’, identified herself as a nanny and partner of the company.
Upon investigation, authorities determined that Mr Boonthawi Chang Lek, a 31-year-old Thai national, was the company director. He was arrested on charges of “operating a daycare center without permission”.
The company is now also under investigation for potential violations of the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542, namely for using a nominee.
A second raid, under search warrant No. 27/2568, targeted the ‘ThaiLivingKids’ daycare centre in Cherng Talay. Officers discovered 25-30 children at the location and arrested four foreign nationals, named by police as:
- Dmitrii Shumilov, 43, Russian, charged with “operating a daycare without permission” and “employing foreigners without work permits”.
- Svetlana Ogai, 43, Russian, charged with “working without a work permit or beyond authorised scope”.
- Koipish Alena, 40, Belarusian, charged with “working without a work permit or beyond authorised scope”.
- Sergey Konon, 34, Kazakh, charged with “working without a work permit or beyond authorised scope”.
The four were taken to Cherng Talay Police Station for further legal proceedings. Police will also investigate the company’s foreign shareholders for potential legal violations. Phuket Provincial Police reported.
The final raid took place at Phuket Fight Club Co Ltd in Soi Palai, Chalong, under search warrant No. 30/2568. The gym, which provides boxing lessons to both Thai and foreign students, had approximately 30-40 people in attendance at the time of the search.
Officers arrested ‘Ms Phraephet Rattana’, 32, a Thai national and director of Phuket Fight Club Co Ltd. She was charged with “establishing a private school outside the system without permission”.
Phuket Provincial Police stated in their release that all three businesses will face further scrutiny regarding potential violations of Thailand’s business and labour laws.
Phuket Provincial Police also emphasised their commitment to cracking down on illegal operations and ensuring compliance with legal regulations.