Phuket People's Party MP Somchat Techathaworncharoen met Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officers on September 28 to provide information over alleged nominee company arrangements involving foreign property interests.
Somchat, who represents Phuket, arrived at the DSI headquarters at 1pm carrying a folder of documents believed to have been prepared for the meeting. He was summoned as a witness by investigators from the agency's Security Cases Bureau.
He declined to answer reporters' questions before the meeting, saying he was not yet ready to provide information and wished to speak with investigators first.
The MP exchanged his ID card with security staff before being escorted to the Security Cases Bureau offices on the ninth floor.
Questions over companies and property
According to reports, the DSI is examining financial links involving corporate entities alleged to have been used as nominees in connection with the establishment of a law office.
Investigators have reportedly focused on Somchat's role as a shareholder and authorised signatory director in companies linked to real estate and condominium businesses in Phuket involving foreign nationals.
The reports said more than 30 companies had been registered, with most apparently not conducting active business. Instead, they were said to hold land or condominium units jointly with foreigners.
Somchat was also reported to hold a 99.99% stake in a company which did not appear to operate a business, but was allegedly focused on holding property valued at more than 100 million baht. This reportedly included land and condominium holdings involving foreigners.
The DSI is reportedly examining the origin of funds connected with Thai companies receiving ownership transfers of land or condominium units, as well as lease agreements described as unusual.
Reports said the circumstances may not yet meet the elements of an offence under the Foreign Business Act 1999. However, they could potentially fall under the Land Code, particularly where a Thai national is alleged to be holding land as a nominee, as the Land Code focuses on the intention behind land ownership rather than whether a company is actively conducting business.
Picture courtesy of Daily News
Related story
Phuket-mp-to-meet-DSI-in-nominee-property-probe
Join the discussion? 
29 September 2026
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment