22/06/2026
Government Seizes Over ฿1 Billion in Assets in Major Crackdown on Foreign Nominee Networks
Thai authorities have launched a major operation targeting illegal foreign nominee business structures in the southern provinces of Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi. The crackdown has resulted in the seizure of land and assets worth more than ฿1.05 billion, with dozens of arrests and legal actions taken against companies accused of using Thai nationals as proxies to hold assets and shares on behalf of foreign investors.
The operation forms part of the government’s wider campaign against nominee arrangements and transnational crime. Officials say the effort is being carried out under direct orders from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, with multiple agencies working together to identify and dismantle networks operating outside Thai law.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploytalay Laksmisangchan said the government is intensifying investigations into nominee schemes, which involve Thai citizens holding shares or property on behalf of foreigners to bypass ownership restrictions. Authorities view these arrangements as a serious issue affecting land ownership, business transparency, and national security.
A formal announcement on the results of the operation is scheduled for June 22, when the Prime Minister and the Royal Thai Police will jointly present details of the crackdown at Government House.
Phase 3 Operation Targets Three Provinces
The latest operation, known as “Foreign Nominee Network Dismantling Operation Phase 3,” focused on Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi. Authorities searched a total of 89 land plots, covering 49 rai, 1 ngan, and 6.4 square wah, with an estimated combined value of ฿1,053,518,872.
Phuket
Investigators uncovered:
* 10 nominee companies.
* 4 land plots covering more than 2 rai, valued at approximately ฿116 million.
* Arrest warrants issued for 12 foreign nationals and 13 other suspects.
Authorities also identified:
* 39 companies where foreign shareholders held the majority interest.
* 52 land plots covering more than 12 rai, valued at around ฿115 million.
* 29 search warrants executed.
In total, authorities targeted 56 plots of land in Phuket, covering roughly 15 rai, with an estimated value of ฿231 million.
Phang Nga
In Phang Nga, investigators found:
* 9 nominee companies.
* 7 land plots covering nearly 18 rai.
* Assets valued at approximately ฿269 million.
The courts approved:
* 6 arrest warrants.
* 3 search warrants.
Authorities arrested one foreign national and investigated another company with majority foreign ownership that controlled a large parcel of land. The Takua Pa Land Office also filed a complaint against Ataman Co., Ltd., whose land and buildings are estimated to be worth around ฿54 million.
Krabi
The largest number of arrests occurred in Krabi, where authorities discovered:
* 9 nominee companies.
* 17 land plots covering more than 6 rai.
* Assets valued at approximately ฿209 million.
The courts issued:
* 40 arrest warrants.
* 13 search warrants.
Police arrested:
* 26 Thai nationals.
* 12 foreign nationals.
Investigators also examined 8 additional companies with majority foreign shareholdings that collectively owned 8 land plots worth an estimated ฿290 million. Further investigations are underway to determine the legality of the land ownership structures.
Overall Results
According to authorities, the operation produced significant results:
* 29 nominee companies targeted.
* 48 companies found holding land with majority foreign share ownership.
* 59 arrest warrants issued.
* 60 search warrants executed.
* 89 land plots seized.
* More than 49 rai of land brought under investigation.
* Total land and asset value exceeding ฿1.05 billion.
Officials say this is only part of a broader nationwide effort. The Prime Minister has instructed agencies to expand investigations into illegal foreign investment activities across Thailand and continue enforcement actions on an ongoing basis.
Authorities are encouraging members of the public who suspect illegal nominee arrangements or other unlawful foreign business activities to report information to local police stations or contact the Royal Thai Police hotline 1599, which operates 24 hours a day.
