The government has cracked down on nominee networks in the areas of Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga, reclaiming 49 rai of land valued at over 1 billion baht. Authorities are accelerating efforts to expand and intensify crackdowns and enforcement nationwide in a serious and ongoing way.
21 June 2026 GMT+7 Ms. Ploythe Laaksamee Sangchan, Deputy Spokesperson of the Office of the Prime Minister, revealed that under the Prime Minister's urgent policy to crack down on nominee schemes, or using the name of Thai nationals to hold shares on behalf of foreigners, as part of the operation plan to prevent and address transnational crime, the government has integrated cooperation and mobilized relevant agencies to continuously drive the Prime Minister's policy. The focus is on local crackdowns on nominee networks and resolving transnational crime issues with concrete results.
On Monday, 22 June 2026 at 11:00 a.m., Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul will join the Royal Thai Police to announce the results of the crackdown on scammers and dismantling of transnational nominee networks at the Santi Maitri Building (Inner Court), Government House.
Ms. Ploythe added that the latest operation by the Royal Thai Police, supported by over 500 officers from various units, conducted "Phase 3 of the Foreign Nominee Network Crackdown" in Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi provinces, searching 89 land plots totaling 49 rai, 1 ngan, and 6.4 square wah, with land and building assets valued at approximately 1.053 billion baht. The targeted areas in the three provinces are as follows:
Phuket Province Ten companies suspected of nominee activity were found, owning 4 land plots totaling 2 rai, 1 ngan, and 50.5 square wah, valued at about 116 million baht. Courts approved 13 arrest warrants for 12 foreigners. Additionally, 39 companies with foreign shareholding exceeding half owned 52 land plots covering about 12 rai, 2 ngan, and 62.5 square wah, valued at approximately 115 million baht. Courts approved 29 search warrants. Combining these groups, 56 land plots totaling 15 rai and 13 square wah valued at about 231 million baht were involved.
Phang Nga Province Nine companies suspected as nominees were found, owning 7 land plots covering 17 rai, 3 ngan, and 18 square wah, valued around 269 million baht. Courts approved 6 arrest warrants and 3 search warrants. Authorities arrested one foreign suspect. One company with foreign shareholding over half owned 1 land plot of 9 rai, 3 ngan, and 20.4 square wah. The Takua Pa land office filed a complaint against Ataman Company, which holds land and buildings valued at about 54 million baht.
Krabi Province Nine companies suspected as nominees were found, owning 17 land plots totaling 6 rai, 1 ngan, and 12.4 square wah, valued at approximately 209 million baht. Courts approved 40 arrest warrants and 13 search warrants. Authorities arrested 26 Thai and 12 foreign suspects, who were handed over to investigators for prosecution. Eight companies with foreign shareholding exceeding half owned 8 land plots totaling 8 rai and 25.6 square wah, valued around 290 million baht. Courts approved 6 search warrants to examine evidence and summon involved parties for questioning about land ownership under company names.
In summary, Phase 3 of the foreign nominee network crackdown in Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga involved 29 companies acting as nominees and 48 companies holding land with foreign shareholders exceeding Thai shareholders. Legal processes issued 59 arrest warrants and 60 search warrants. A total of 89 land plots covering 49 rai, 1 ngan, and 6.4 square wah were seized, with land and building assets valued at 1,053,518,872 baht.
"The Prime Minister has ordered an urgent expansion of crackdowns and enforcement nationwide in a serious and continuous manner. The public is encouraged to report illegal activities by foreign investors to local police stations or the Royal Thai Police hotline at 1599, available 24 hours a day."