Authorities in Sakon Nakhon have found suspected irregularities involving 35 companies described as 100% Chinese-owned nominee firms, with villagers allegedly used as Thai stand-ins without their knowledge.
No business activity was found at any of the registered addresses during inspections, according to the Department of Business Development. Fourteen Thai-owned companies registered in the province were also found not to be operating from their listed locations.
Company registrations under scrutiny
Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director-general of the Department of Business Development, said on Sunday, August 16, that the provincial office had identified 33 of the Chinese nominee companies in Khok Si Suphan district. One was registered in Mueang district and another in Phu Phan district.
The 14 Thai-owned firms were registered in Sawang Daen Din district. None of the companies was carrying out business at its registered address.
Investigators found that a woman in Khok Si Suphan allegedly acted as a broker, buying copies of villagers' household registration documents and national ID cards for between 500 and 1,000 baht each.
She then reportedly passed 35 sets of documents to Chinese investors and received 1,500 baht per person.
Villagers said the broker had told them their paperwork would be used for online business on a popular platform. They said they had not been informed about, or agreed to, the registration of companies in their names.
They added that they would not have handed over copies of their house registration documents, house numbers and ID cards had they known their intended use. Most people who supplied documents were residents rather than the homeowners, meaning homes were used without the owners' knowledge.
Homes were still private residences
Officials from the Provincial Commerce Office, Provincial Administration, Khok Si Suphan District Administration, Khok Si Suphan police station and the Internal Security Operations Command inspected the listed premises.
They found no business activity at any location. The properties remained private homes occupied normally by villagers, while homeowners said they had never agreed to their addresses or documents being used to register limited companies.
The Provincial Administration and Commerce Office have advised homeowners to make police reports against those involved. Some have not yet wanted to take legal action, reportedly because children or grandchildren may have secretly provided documents to the broker and received payment.
Others have already complained to police, alleging fraud and the unlawful use of official documents for personal gain.
Poonpong said the Commerce Ministry would monitor the registrations closely and offer advice to villagers who gave documents to the broker. They can contact the Sakon Nakhon Provincial Commerce Office or the Department of Business Development Call Centre on 1570.
He added that the department would investigate irregular company registrations across all areas and strictly enforce the law.
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18 August 2026
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