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PUBLISHED : 23 MAY 2026 AT 14:35
Pol Gen Samran Nualma, the deputy national police chief overseeing the national crackdown on illegal foreign businesses, provides an update on operations on Koh Phangan in Surat Thani on Saturday. (Photo supplied)
Thai police in Surat Thani wrapped up the second phase of their crackdown on foreign nominee businesses on Koh Phangan on Saturday, arresting 22 foreigners and seizing more than 40 rai of land worth over 200 million baht.
The stepped-up operation began earlier this month, with the first phase launched on May 13. Authorities pursued 37 cases and conducted 27 searches on the tourist island, which has been plagued by illegal activities involving foreigners and Thai nominees.
The operation focused on upstream and midstream operations, including law firms, accounting firms and nominee companies.
On Saturday, more than 300 officers led by Pol Lt Gen Noppasin Poolsawat carried out raids and arrests under warrants approved by the Koh Samui Provincial Court.
The latest operation involved 39 cases and 36 locations, with authorities securing 45 arrest warrants for people of various nationalities.
One key target was FB Properties Co Ltd (Yoga House), where officers found that the real owner was an unidentified Israeli national allegedly using Thai nominees as shareholders to conceal ownership, said Pol Gen Samran Nualma, the deputy national police chief overseeing the national crackdown.
The company reportedly held eight plots of land covering 7.5 rai worth more than 60 million baht. It was also allegedly operating a hotel business without permission.
Authorities divided the findings from the second phase into two groups. The first involved 32 companies identified as clear nominee operations. Officials arrested 22 foreigners and seized 45 land plots covering more than 40 rai, with estimated damages exceeding 200 million baht.
Charges included operating foreign businesses without permission and illegal land ownership.
The second group involved 32 companies in which foreign shareholders allegedly held larger stakes than Thai shareholders. These firms controlled more than 38 rai of land, most of it vacant and without buildings. Officers searched 21 of the companies to collect evidence for further legal action.
The nominee issue on Koh Phangan has been accumulating since 2024, with 29 cases already filed against suspect businesses. Courts have ruled in two cases so far, involving 62 suspects — 32 Thais and 30 foreigners.
According to the Department of Business Development (DBD), 3,213 of the island’s 4,761 registered companies are foreign-run. Israelis account for the largest foreign investor group, followed by the French and the British.
Following this phase, Pol Gen Samran said authorities would meet with the DBD, provincial commerce officials and the Department of Land to accelerate investigations into financial trails and expand the crackdown.
Police are also examining whether public servants were involved in abetting criminality. The findings will be reported to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who has ordered an investigation into local officials in Phuket and Surat Thani over their alleged involvement in illegal activities in major tourist areas.
Authorities added that similar crackdowns, aimed at restoring order in tourism destinations and preventing foreigners exploiting local residents, would be expanded nationwide as part of efforts to uproot unlawful activities.
The public has been urged to report tips to local police stations or the police hotline at any time.
www.bangkokpost.com
Mvh isan lover
Koh Phangan nominee crackdown nets 22 foreigners
Land worth more than B200 million seized in second phase of operation on tourist islandPUBLISHED : 23 MAY 2026 AT 14:35
Pol Gen Samran Nualma, the deputy national police chief overseeing the national crackdown on illegal foreign businesses, provides an update on operations on Koh Phangan in Surat Thani on Saturday. (Photo supplied)
Thai police in Surat Thani wrapped up the second phase of their crackdown on foreign nominee businesses on Koh Phangan on Saturday, arresting 22 foreigners and seizing more than 40 rai of land worth over 200 million baht.
The stepped-up operation began earlier this month, with the first phase launched on May 13. Authorities pursued 37 cases and conducted 27 searches on the tourist island, which has been plagued by illegal activities involving foreigners and Thai nominees.
The operation focused on upstream and midstream operations, including law firms, accounting firms and nominee companies.
On Saturday, more than 300 officers led by Pol Lt Gen Noppasin Poolsawat carried out raids and arrests under warrants approved by the Koh Samui Provincial Court.
The latest operation involved 39 cases and 36 locations, with authorities securing 45 arrest warrants for people of various nationalities.
One key target was FB Properties Co Ltd (Yoga House), where officers found that the real owner was an unidentified Israeli national allegedly using Thai nominees as shareholders to conceal ownership, said Pol Gen Samran Nualma, the deputy national police chief overseeing the national crackdown.
The company reportedly held eight plots of land covering 7.5 rai worth more than 60 million baht. It was also allegedly operating a hotel business without permission.
Authorities divided the findings from the second phase into two groups. The first involved 32 companies identified as clear nominee operations. Officials arrested 22 foreigners and seized 45 land plots covering more than 40 rai, with estimated damages exceeding 200 million baht.
Charges included operating foreign businesses without permission and illegal land ownership.
The second group involved 32 companies in which foreign shareholders allegedly held larger stakes than Thai shareholders. These firms controlled more than 38 rai of land, most of it vacant and without buildings. Officers searched 21 of the companies to collect evidence for further legal action.
The nominee issue on Koh Phangan has been accumulating since 2024, with 29 cases already filed against suspect businesses. Courts have ruled in two cases so far, involving 62 suspects — 32 Thais and 30 foreigners.
According to the Department of Business Development (DBD), 3,213 of the island’s 4,761 registered companies are foreign-run. Israelis account for the largest foreign investor group, followed by the French and the British.
Following this phase, Pol Gen Samran said authorities would meet with the DBD, provincial commerce officials and the Department of Land to accelerate investigations into financial trails and expand the crackdown.
Police are also examining whether public servants were involved in abetting criminality. The findings will be reported to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who has ordered an investigation into local officials in Phuket and Surat Thani over their alleged involvement in illegal activities in major tourist areas.
Authorities added that similar crackdowns, aimed at restoring order in tourism destinations and preventing foreigners exploiting local residents, would be expanded nationwide as part of efforts to uproot unlawful activities.
The public has been urged to report tips to local police stations or the police hotline at any time.
Koh Phangan nominee crackdown nets 22 foreigners
Thai police in Surat Thani wrapped up the second phase of their crackdown on foreign nominee businesses on Koh Phangan on Saturday, arresting 22 foreigners and seizing more than 40 rai of land worth over 200 million baht.
Mvh isan lover
