An Israeli man was arrested on the island of Koh Pha Ngan in Thailand on suspicion of running a childcare center without a license or work permit, Thai media reported on Monday.
The Israeli, 55-year-old Ziv Radomsky, was also alleged to have admitted to police that the location had been operational since 2024, claiming that the business was preparing the documents to apply for a license.
During a raid of the location, police stated that they had found 42 children aged 2-6 being taught and taking part in activities, as well as three Thai nationals and 13 foreign staff taking care of the children and premises.
One of the 13 foreign workers, a 20-year-old Romanian national named Meda Andreea Capilna, was also arrested due to allegedly working outside of the conditions of her work permit.
Radomsky and Capilna were both charged with jointly establishing or operating a childcare center without a license, working as foreign nationals without work permits, and failing to notify authorities of the employment of a foreign worker within the legally required period.
Thai police cracking down on foreign business crimes
Their arrests are the latest in a crackdown by Thai authorities on foreigners operating businesses illegally.
Last month, police in Thailand arrested an Israeli citizen at Koh Samui airport on suspicion of being involved in the purchase of land through Thai frontmen, in an attempt to circumvent the restrictions on foreigners purchasing real estate.
Another Israeli citizen, DJ Gal Goren, 39, was arrested on suspicion of illegally operating a recording studio through Thai frontmen and providing false information on official documents.
Yoav Etiel contributed to this report.