An illegally run childcare center on the island of Koh Pha Ngan in Thailand was found to be caring for 89 Israeli children, local media reported on Saturday.
The school, Arki Kid, was licensed to care for up to 18 children of ages 2-5. The 89 Israeli children were found during a raid on the school, and ranged between 2 and 12 years old.
The school was run by a 61-year-old Thai woman, Prathumthip Yu-in, along with an Iranian couple, Aidin Kishipoor and Ndin Kishipoor, both 45 years old. All three were accused of "employing foreign nationals without work permits, failing to notify the registrar within 15 days of hiring foreign workers, operating a childcare center in breach of the Child Protection Act and related regulations, and establishing a non-formal private school without permission," The Nation reported.
Several other employees of the school were also arrested for various related offenses, including working without work permits, and not divulging the nature of their employment to the authorities.
The Nation reported that the raid on the school occurred after complaints on social media about Israelis operating illegal businesses in Thailand.
Anti-Israeli sentiments rising in Thailand
Several recent incidents in Thailand have reflected a growing wave of anti-Israeli sentiments, including the arrest of Israelis committing various crimes.
In February, three Israelis were attacked at a bar in Koh Samui, after they were overheard speaking Hebrew, according to social media reports.
French tourists reportedly chased them into the restroom, forced the door open, and demanded they turn over the contents of their pockets.
In a separate incident that same month, an Israeli was arrested by Thai authorities after being caught with over 50 million baht (five million shekels) worth of drugs, the Bangkok Post reported.
Maya Zanger-Nadis contributed to this report.