Pattaya nominee firms face fresh scrutiny

A House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee delegation has visited Chonburi to examine foreign business activity, focusing on suspected Thai nominee arrangements in Pattaya and Bang Lamung.

The committee, led by MP Kungfu Wasawat Puangpornsri, was told that just six officials are handling company registration and information checks involving about 6,000 companies a month, according to reported figures presented during the visit.

MPs focus on Pattaya and Bang Lamung

The Chonburi governor, Pattaya mayor and heads of relevant government agencies welcomed the delegation and joined an information-sharing meeting before MPs inspected businesses and areas linked to foreign business concerns.

The central issue is the alleged use of Thai nationals as nominees to hold shares or act on behalf of foreign investors in businesses where foreign ownership may be restricted.

Figures reported to the committee indicated that around 200 company registration applications are submitted daily, or about 6,000 per month. 70 companies were already under examination and action by the Department of Special Investigation, or DSI.

Foreign Business Act review planned

The committee said it plans to push for a review of the Foreign Business Act BE 2542, particularly penalties relating to disguised agents and nominee arrangements.

It said the law should better reflect current methods of wrongdoing and improve the ability of authorities to prevent attempts to evade foreign business restrictions.

Nominee allegations in Pattaya and Chonburi have been under continuing scrutiny. The DSI, working with provincial authorities and the Provincial Commerce Office, has previously searched suspected nominee networks in Pattaya and Bang Lamung, with investigations opened as special cases.

Risky company groups reportedly declining

The Commerce Ministry has said the number of legal-entity groups considered at risk of nominee involvement fell in early 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier.

Meanwhile, the DSI and Department of Business Development have jointly set out guidelines for examining high-risk companies in key tourism areas, including Pattaya.

The committee said the response must combine inspections, enforcement and legal reform, both to close loopholes and to maintain fairness between Thai operators and foreign businesses operating lawfully in Thailand.

Pictures courtesy of Komchadluek

Join the discussion?

21 September 2026