The Minister of Justice, together with the Department of Special Investigation, launched operations to search networks suspected of using nominees to hold land and conduct business on behalf of foreigners at five locations in Samui and Phangan, finding over 100 companies registered at a single address.
On 10 July 2026, Police General Torutthaphon Naowarat, Minister of Justice, along with Police Lieutenant General Saipet Srisang, Advisor to the Minister of Justice; Police Colonel Yutthana Praedam, Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI); Police Lieutenant Colonel Anurak Rojaninirankit, Deputy Director-General of DSI; Police Lieutenant Colonel Chanchai Likhitkanthasorn, Director of the Security Cases Division; and a special investigation team collaborated with Surat Thani provincial authorities, the Department of Business Development, Surat Thani Provincial Public Health Office, Surat Thani Employment Office, Surat Thani Immigration Office, Region 8 Provincial Police, Bo Phut Police Station, and Samui Tourist Police Station to conduct searches at targets in Koh Samui and Koh Phangan districts, Surat Thani province, under warrants related to violations of the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999).
This operation originated from the Department of Business Development providing information on 34 companies for DSI to investigate. The investigation found that several companies were registered with Thai nationals acting as shareholders (nominees) to circumvent restrictions under the Foreign Business Act. Initially, DSI conducted searches at five targets, discovering over 100 companies registered at a single location.
The government, led by the Prime Minister, is committed to seriously addressing this issue with a clear policy to protect national land resources, ensure fair business competition between Thai and foreign operators, and prevent Thailand from becoming a venue for money laundering or legal evasion by foreign capital groups. Such activities threaten national economic security, fair competition, and long-term land ownership.
The Ministry of Justice has assigned the Department of Special Investigation, which holds authority to investigate complex and wide-impact cases, to intensify its probe into nominee use in Surat Thani province. This has led to today’s operation. The searches are part of evidence gathering; all involved persons remain protected under the presumption of innocence until a final judgment is reached.
The government values lawful foreign investment and remains open and welcoming to honest, transparent investors who respect Thai law. However, it will not tolerate exploitation of legal loopholes or establishment of shell companies for illicit gain. If violations are found, whether by Thai or foreign persons, prosecution will be firm and equitable, extending to all supporters, collaborators, and ultimate beneficiaries at all levels.
