Prime Minister Anutin, concerned for the well-being of the people, has ordered the Land Department to elevate efforts to combat nominee land holdings. He has stressed strict supervision throughout every stage of land transactions, demanding rigorous inspections and prompt legal action if any violations are detected.
On 16 May 2026, amid growing public concern over foreigners holding land through nominees—which affects land prices and Thai citizens' access to resources—Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul expressed his worries about the situation. He ordered the Land Department to strengthen measures to rigorously monitor and oversee land transactions nationwide to prevent the use of Thai nationals as proxies for foreign land ownership, as well as to close legal loopholes that allow exploitation.
Following this directive, the Land Department urgently issued a letter to provincial governors nationwide, requesting them to instruct officials and coordinate with relevant agencies to strictly follow the guidelines outlined in the manual on preventing land holding on behalf of foreigners. The department also promotes public awareness to discourage cooperation in acting as nominees for foreigners. It calls on anyone witnessing violations to report to the appropriate state agencies, supporting the operations of the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 and other authorities in decisively cracking down on offenders. Additionally, all land offices nationwide are urged to expedite surveillance, inspection, and close monitoring of transactions at risk of illegal activity, with particular vigilance in key economic zones, tourist areas, and locations with significant foreign investment in land transactions. Officials are reminded to exercise caution and strictness in registering rights and legal acts at every stage.
The Land Department reaffirmed that it has continuously implemented measures and conducted thorough investigations, especially deep examinations into the sources of funds, connections among landholders, corporate shareholder structures, and behaviors suggesting proxy holding on behalf of foreigners. If suspicious activities are found, rapid fact-finding and legal proceedings are mandated, as follows.
1. In cases where individuals or companies with Thai shareholders purchase land, if payment is made in cash amounting to two million baht or more, or if the property's appraised value for registration fees is five million baht or higher—except in cases of inheritance to lawful heirs—or if there is reasonable suspicion of proxy landholding for foreigners, officials must investigate further, including sources of funds, income, financial status, and occupation.
2. For companies at risk of holding land on behalf of foreigners, especially those with suspicious shareholder changes, capital increases, or abnormal shifts in shareholding proportions intended to circumvent laws and enable indirect foreign land ownership, officials must thoroughly examine shareholder information, including sources of funds, income, financial status, and occupation.
3. All land offices are required to conduct monthly checks on companies with foreign shareholders or directors, or those suspected of proxy landholding on behalf of foreigners, and report the findings to the Land Department every three months.
If clear evidence of wrongdoing is found, the Land Department has ordered firm legal action against the companies, foreign individuals, and involved shareholders. Legal measures will also be used to force the sale of land held unlawfully and swiftly prevent such land from falling under foreign control through proxy arrangements.
Meanwhile, the Land Department has coordinated with the Department of Business Development to collaborate in inspecting companies with foreign shareholders that may be acting as proxy entities. Special attention is given to companies with complex shareholder structures, capital increases, or frequent shareholding changes that may serve to allow foreigners to indirectly hold land. The Department of Business Development is requested to promptly inform the Land Department if suspicious behaviors or concerns arise so that investigations can proceed rapidly and strictly in accordance with the law.
The Land Department emphasized that resolving the nominee issue requires serious and ongoing efforts, as it involves not only legal evasion but also the protection of national interests, land resource security, and long-term rights of Thai citizens. The department affirmed it will not tolerate negligence or favoritism toward groups exploiting legal gaps to hold land unlawfully.
The Land Department calls on the public to cooperate by reporting any suspicious nominee landholding activities or use of Thai nationals as proxies to local land offices or relevant agencies. This joint effort aims to protect the country's land resources and safeguard the interests of Thai people sustainably.
