"Big Ran" dispatched Police Lieutenant General Nopphasil to lead the task force in the "Phase 2 Crackdown on Foreign Nominee Companies on Koh Phangan," conducting sweeping searches of 32 nominee companies, arresting 22 foreigners, and seizing over 40 rai of land valued at more than 200 million baht.
At 06:00 on 23 May 2026, Police General Samran Nualma, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Center for Combating Transnational Criminals and Illegal Immigration (Director of the Center), and head of the task force against foreign offenders, ordered Police Lieutenant General Nopphasil Poolsawat, Commander of the Office of the Commissioner of Police, as head of the task force against foreign offenders, to integrate over 300 officers to launch the "Phase 2 Crackdown on Foreign Nominee Companies on Koh Phangan."
Police Lieutenant General Nopphasil Poolsawat, as head of the task force against foreign offenders, led an investigative team handling more than 39 cases. They obtained court warrants from Koh Samui Provincial Court for 36 search locations targeting nominee companies, and 45 arrest warrants for foreign nationals of various nationalities charged with: 1. foreign nationals jointly conducting prohibited business where Thais lack readiness to compete (Foreign Business Act sections 8 and 37); 2. illegal land possession under Land Code sections 97, 112, and 113.
Police Lieutenant General Nopphasil ordered over 300 officers to conduct coordinated searches and arrests at court-approved locations. A key search was at FB Properties Co., Ltd. (Yoga House), where an Israeli national was the true owner but hid ownership behind Thai shareholders, possessing eight land plots (7.5 rai) valued at over 60 million baht. They also illegally operated a hotel without authorization.
The Phase 2 losses are summarized in two groups: 1. Clearly nominee companies—32 companies with 45 land plots (over 40 rai) seized, 22 foreigners arrested, losses exceeding 200 million baht; 2. Companies with majority foreign shareholding over Thai shareholders—32 companies possessing 38 land plots (over 38 rai), mostly vacant land without buildings. Authorities searched 21 such companies to collect evidence for further prosecution.
Police General Samran Nualma, Deputy Commissioner, disclosed that Police General Kittirat Phanphet, Commissioner of Police, received urgent directives from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to intensify the crackdown on nominee schemes—using Thai names to hold shares and land on behalf of foreigners. Consequently, Police General Kittirat ordered a thorough crackdown to prevent transnational crime, illegal business operations, and to protect Thai livelihoods. This problem has accumulated since 2024 on Koh Phangan, with 29 suspected cases prosecuted, two court convictions, and 62 defendants—32 Thai and 30 foreign nationals.
Police General Samran added that after being appointed head of the task force against foreign offenders, he launched Phase 1 on 13 May focusing on upstream and midstream groups (law firms, accounting firms, nominee companies). Thirty-seven cases were prosecuted, three arrest warrants issued, and 27 searches conducted. They found use of Thai Welfare Card holders or corporate employees as proxy shareholders, registering over 100 foreign companies at the same address. Charges included unauthorized foreign business operations and illegal land possession.
"Following Phase 2, a joint meeting with the Director-General of the Department of Business Development, provincial commerce officers, and land offices will accelerate financial investigations and thoroughly dismantle this disguise network, including in-depth checks for potential involvement of government officials, to report to the Prime Minister," he said.
The Royal Thai Police emphasized that this operation aims to regulate Koh Phangan as a standard tourist destination, prevent illegal foreign capital exploitation of locals, and will expand similar crackdowns nationwide. Citizens spotting leads can report to local police stations or the police hotline available 24/7," said Police General Samran Nualma.