“Big Ran” dispatched “Nopphasin” and the Special Task Force for Foreign Offenders to lead Region 8 in dismantling nominee networks, reclaiming 49 rai of land worth 1.053 billion baht on Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga islands. The operation included searches of 76 companies, 57 arrest warrants, 58 search warrants, arresting 31 foreigners and 26 Thais.
At 06:00 on 20 June 2026, Police General Samran Nualma, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Center for Combating Transnational and Illegal Immigration Offenders, ordered Police Lieutenant General Nopphasin Poolsawat, Commander of the Royal Thai Police Office, and head of the special unit against foreign offenders, along with Police Major General Narongrit Dansuwan, Deputy Commander of Region 8 Police, Police Major General Sukasem Nakornwilai, Commander of Krabi Provincial Police, Police Major General Sinlert Sukhum, Commander of Phuket Provincial Police, Police Major General Worawit Yannajinda, Commander of the Patrol and Special Operation Division, and Police Major General Chotiwat Luangwilai, Commander of the Investigation Division, with over 500 officers from multiple units to conduct "Phase 3" operations against foreign nominee networks in Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi provinces.
Today's operation summary: targets included 89 land plots covering 49 rai, 1 ngan, and 6.4 square wah, with total land and building value estimated at 1.053 billion baht. The court approved 59 arrest warrants—28 for Thais and 31 for foreigners.
Authorities found nominee companies illegally purchasing and owning land, violating the Land Code. Offenses were categorized into two groups.
Group 1 Ten nominee companies owning four land plots totaling 2 rai, 1 ngan, and 50.5 square wah, valued at approximately 116 million baht. Courts approved 13 arrest warrants for 12 foreigners.
Group 2 Thirty-nine companies with foreign shareholders owning more than half of the shares, holding 52 land plots totaling about 12 rai, 2 ngan, and 62.5 square wah, valued at roughly 115 million baht. Courts approved 29 search warrants. Combining groups 1 and 2, 56 land plots covering 15 rai and 13 square wah were involved, valued at approximately 231 million baht.
Key targets in the search included the GMAT group of companies:
1. GMAT Hospitality Company, operating hotels, resorts, condominiums, and motorcycle rentals.
2. Abale Company, operating restaurants and cannabis shops.
3. Fitness Hero Company, operating fitness centers.
Authorities found nominee companies illegally owning land under the Land Code, divided into two groups.
Group 1 Nine nominee companies owning seven land plots totaling 17 rai, 3 ngan, and 18 square wah, valued at about 269 million baht. The court approved 6 arrest warrants and 3 search warrants. One foreign suspect was arrested.
Group 2 One company with foreign shareholders holding more than half the shares owned one land plot of 9 rai, 3 ngan, and 20.4 square wah. The Takua Pa land office filed a complaint against Ataman Company for illegal ownership of land and buildings valued at around 54 million baht.
A key arrest was at Sawa Beach Villa Hotel, where seven villas were found operating with staff collecting daily rental fees without proper hotel licenses. British national Andrew, a company director, was arrested.
Investigations revealed Thai individuals registered as company shareholders and nominees for foreigners, often holding social security cards, indicating they are employees or relatives of company directors. These Thais lack the means to invest or hold shares independently and assist in using Thai names to hold shares on behalf of foreigners.
Authorities found nominee companies illegally owning land under the Land Code, divided into two groups.
Group 1 Nine nominee companies owning 17 land plots totaling 6 rai, 1 ngan, and 12.4 square wah, valued at about 209 million baht. Courts approved 40 arrest warrants and 13 search warrants. Authorities arrested 26 Thai and 12 foreign suspects, who were transferred to investigators for legal proceedings.
Group 2 Eight companies with foreign shareholders holding more than half the shares owned eight land plots totaling 8 rai, 25.6 square wah, valued at about 290 million baht. Courts approved six search warrants to gather evidence and summon related individuals for questioning about land ownership under company names.
A key case was the arrest of Tropical House, a Polish-investor-owned construction and real estate development company building modern-style pool villas and private pools in prime locations such as Nuea Khlong, Nong Thale, and Khao Thong, with prices starting at 11.5 million baht. Investigations found the company registered capital at 4 million baht but owned 16 land plots totaling about 6 rai and 76.6 square wah, valued near 200 million baht, exceeding registered capital.
Records showed 100% Thai shareholding, making the company Thai by law, but in reality, Katarzyna and her husband Kamil managed and controlled operations, using Thai nominees without real investment.
Another significant case was the arrest of Ganj Entertainment Partnership, providing entertainment and music services in Krabi, owned by South African national Stefanat, who used Thai nominees to hold shares. Lawyer Wichit and accountant Supannee played key roles as "upstream" facilitators in creating false documents to register and alter shareholder structures.
Evidence showed signatures of deceased individuals were used on official and corporate registration documents to fabricate proof and conceal foreign shareholding.
Searches yielded company registration documents, accounting records, computers, mobile phones, and extensive electronic data, currently under examination to expand investigations into associated networks.
Summary of operation results "Phase 3 Crackdown on Foreign Nominee Networks" In Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga, authorities targeted 29 nominee companies and 48 companies with foreign-majority shareholders. Legal actions included 59 arrest warrants and 60 search warrants, covering 89 land plots totaling 49 rai, 1 ngan, and 6.4 square wah, with combined assets worth 1,053,518,872 baht.
The Royal Thai Police will not limit efforts to the southern region but will expand enforcement nationwide continuously. The public is encouraged to report suspicious activities or illegal acts by foreign investors to local police stations or the Royal Thai Police hotline at 1599, available 24 hours.