KOH PHANGAN, Thailand – Frustrated by the growing number of foreign nationals working illegally in the tourism sector, local operators on Phangan Island in Surat Thani have reported several cases to the tourist police. This led to the arrest of an Austrian man running an unlicensed tour guide business, charging 2,000 baht per customer, as well as the detention of a Filipino woman for selling unauthorized tour packages. The move followed complaints from local tour operators who claimed foreign nationals were organizing tours for other foreigners, which is illegal under Thai law.
Officers apprehended Mr. Gunter Mayerhofer, a 44-year-old Austrian national, in front of a restaurant in Koh Phangan, while he was preparing to take customers on a tour in a white Toyota Hilux Revo pickup truck. Two foreign tourists informed the authorities that they had contacted a German friend living on the island through Messenger to find a private tour guide. Their friend recommended Gunter Mayerhofer’s Facebook account, and they arranged for him to pick them up at a hotel, Koh Phangan.
During the tour, they visited various locations, including Hin Pha Whale Rock, Than Sadet Waterfall, Giant Yangna Tree, Wat Samai Khongkha, a bakery, and a restaurant. The tourists were charged 2,000 baht each, amounting to a total of 4,000 baht for the trip, excluding food expenses.
Gunter admitted to working as an unauthorized tour guide for the past two years, charging customers per trip. He acknowledged the agreement to charge the tourists 2,000 baht each for the tour. The authorities arrested him on charges of “operating a tour business without a license, working as an unlicensed foreign tour guide, and working without a valid work permit.” He was sent to the Koh Phangan Police Station for further legal action.
In a separate case, authorities arrested Mrs. Kathelyn Celestre, a 47-year-old Filipino national, who was caught selling tour packages without a license. Officers confiscated seven receipts detailing the tour package names, prices, and destinations. She was charged with “operating a tour business without a license and working outside of the authorized scope for foreigners.” She was also taken to the Koh Phangan Police Station for legal proceedings.
