DSI summons Phuket MP over property nominee case

Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has issued a summons for Somchat Techatavorncharoen, a Phuket MP from the People's Party, to attend questioning on 7 September in connection with an alleged property nominee case.

Justice Minister Police General Rutthaphon Naowarat said on 2 September that investigators had found evidence during their inquiry indicating that Somchat was involved as a director and shareholder in private companies holding property and condominium units in Phuket with foreign nationals.

The minister did not say whether Somchat had been charged with any offence. The summons is part of the DSI investigation and does not in itself determine guilt.

First summons could not be delivered

Speaking at Government House at 9.20am, Rutthaphon said the DSI initially issued its first summons to Somchat. However, officials checking the document's status were told that it could not be delivered.

A second summons was therefore issued on 31 August. The postal service later informed the DSI that it had reached the recipient.

The DSI has also sent some documents to the local police station for delivery, according to the justice minister.

DSI appointment set for 7 September

Somchat has been asked to appear before DSI investigators on 7 September. Rutthaphon said he did not know whether the MP would attend on that date, adding that the information available to him was that Somchat had received the summons.

The case concerns claims of nominee arrangements involving property and condominium holdings in Phuket, a province where overseas buyers, long-stay visitors and expatriates are prominent in the housing market.

A sensitive issue in Phuket's property market

Nominee questions can arise where a Thai person is alleged to be acting on behalf of a foreigner in an arrangement that may circumvent restrictions on foreign ownership.

The report did not identify the companies concerned, the properties or condominium units involved, or the foreign nationals referred to in the investigation.

Picture courtesy of Amarin

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3 September 2026