"MOT 2" raids Phuket, seizing five illegal hotels with foreign partners, operating without business licenses, suspected of nominee arrangements; authorities accelerate financial trail investigations. Tags: [law enforcement, illegal hotels, Phuket, foreign investment, nominee arrangements, financial investigation]
On 23 July 2026, Pol.Peer Suwannachawi, Deputy Minister of Interior (MOT 2) and head of the Special Task Force for Social Order, led a special operations team from the Department of Provincial Administration. They coordinated with Chotinrin Kerdsom, Governor of Phuket Province, the Investigation and Legal Affairs Office, and local administrative officials from Mueang Phuket, Kathu, and Thalang districts to launch a crackdown on hotel businesses violating laws throughout Phuket. This aims to ensure fairness for legally compliant operators.Tags: [Ministry of Interior, special operations, Phuket government, law enforcement, hotel regulation]
The inspection targeted five hotels: The Proud Karon in Mueang Phuket district, found operating without a license and suspected of nominee practices, with 49% Russian and 51% Thai shareholding; Phuket Moonlit in Mueang Phuket, also unlicensed, with 26% Chinese and 74% Thai shareholders, under ongoing verification; The Charm Resort in Kathu district, unlicensed with all Thai shareholders; Citygate Kamala Resort in Kathu operating without a permit; and The Wood Terrace in Thalang district, also operating without authorization.Tags: [hotel inspections, Phuket districts, foreign shareholders, unlicensed operations]
Authorities initially arrested the managers and operators of all five hotels, charging them with "operating a hotel business without a license" under the Hotel Act B.E. 2547. The penalties include imprisonment up to one year, fines up to 20,000 baht, or both, plus daily fines not exceeding 10,000 baht for continued violations. Important documents and evidence were seized for prosecution.Tags: [arrests, legal charges, hotel act, penalties, evidence seizure]
Additionally, the task force is intensifying in-depth investigations into shareholding structures, financial flows, and related businesses potentially involved in other legal violations. They are coordinating with relevant agencies to rigorously enforce laws and eradicate illegal businesses in key tourist areas.Tags: [financial investigation, shareholding analysis, law enforcement coordination, illegal business crackdown, tourism sector]