SURAT THANI – An Israeli man has been arrested for illegally working as a tour guide for foreign children on Koh Phangan, earning 800 to 8,000 baht per client.
Police on Tuesday detained David Gozlan, 45, while he was leading a group of 23 children of foreign nationals to Wang Sai waterfall in the north of the island, tourist police commander Pol Lt Gen Saksira Puek-am said.
Police had been observing Mr Gozlan’s behaviour since Sunday and saw him working several times, paying the 20 baht entry fee for all the children, providing them with boxed meals and arranging transport for them.
He led groups of 10-30 people each time, Pol Lt Gen Saksira said. The suspect allegedly attracted customers via the app Whatsapp, creating a group with the name “Exploring Nature with Uncle” and accepting memberships from the children’s parents.
The tours were priced at 800 baht per person for a one-day trip and 6,000 to 8,000 baht per person for a 7-day package. Trip destinations were varied, such as a waterfall, a beach, a temple or a café, police said.
According to police, Mr Gozlan admitted to the charge of working without a permit and illegally operating as a tour guide, a profession reserved for Thais.
Mr Gozlan said he was a former special forces soldier in the Israeli military, according to police.
