The government is progressing with social regulation by ordering a review of the nationality application system and a one-year retrospective investigation, aiming to close loopholes and strictly curb foreign nominees.
On 17 Sep 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Ploytale Lakshamisangchan, Deputy Spokesperson of the Office of the Prime Minister, revealed that the government is integrating the work of all ministries and relevant agencies to drive government policies into concrete results. Following directives from Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, efforts are underway to regulate society and review the Thai nationality application system after anti-social and nominee network crackdowns revealed multiple cases linked to foreigners holding Thai nationality.
Ms. Ploytale stated that the special task force for social regulation under the Ministry of Interior (STF) is jointly advancing social regulation measures and following the Ministry's directives. It has resolved to review the Thai nationality application process, including steps, criteria, and review procedures, as well as conduct retrospective checks on nationality acquisitions. The aim is to use this data to consider amendments to the Nationality Act B.E. 2508 (1965) to better align with current circumstances, enhance rigor, close loopholes that could be exploited or used to circumvent legal restrictions, and protect the rights and interests of Thai citizens.
Simultaneously, the Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior, is accelerating efforts to educate administrative officials—from provincial to district to village and community levels—about immigration laws. This strengthens local monitoring mechanisms, enabling officials and citizens to observe and report suspicious behaviors, especially cases where foreigners use Thai identity cards or information to establish companies. Such cases have been detected previously, potentially involving Thai nationals acting as nominees to bypass legal restrictions.
Regarding monitoring and enforcing laws on accommodations potentially operating as hotels without licenses, the Department of Provincial Administration has compiled data on short-term rental accommodations offered via online platforms nationwide and instructed all provinces to verify these facts. If businesses operate as hotels without licenses or lack official registration as accommodations, officials are to investigate obstacles in obtaining licenses and update relevant laws to reflect current conditions.
"To prevent misuse of legal loopholes and protect the rights and interests of Thai citizens, while effectively blocking foreign nominees, the government, through the Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior, will conduct a one-year retrospective data review to identify irregularities and system gaps. The results will inform revisions to the Nationality Act B.E. 2508 (1965), ensuring it fits current realities, prevents legal exploitation, and strengthens management of status and nationality," Ms. Ploytale said.