Surat Thani: A Ukrainian mother and daughter have been detained and charged for operating a hostel without permission in Koh Phangan district.
The Vagabond Castle hostel was raided on Wednesday but the pair, identified as 46-year-old Olina and Yerisa, 20, were unable to provide proper certification to a team of security officials.
They were also charged with selling alcohol without a licence, according to reports.
A source said they told authorities their business was registered as Vagabond House Co and they are members of its committee.
They allegedly violated two Thai laws, one governing businesses operated in Thailand by foreigners and the other on building control.
Authorities raided the hostel after a tip-off saying it was being operated illegally by foreigners and was overcrowded with guests, officials said.
The hostel is a converted two-storey house with 12 rooms accommodating up to 150 beds modified into multiple bunk beds, said the source, adding guests pay 250 baht per bed a day.
This overcrowding raised concerns over how safe the guests would be, for example in the event of a fire, the source said.
Wednesday's operation was led by Maj Gen Phornsak Phulsawat, deputy chief of the 4th Army; Pol Maj Gen Apichat Bunsriroj, chief of the Surat Thani provincial police; and Wichawut Jinto, the provincial governor.