Phuket MP to meet DSI in nominee property probe

Phuket People’s Party MP Somchat Techathaworncharoen is scheduled to give evidence to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) on Monday, 28 September 2026, over an inquiry into suspected nominee ownership of property.

The DSI said Somchat will attend as a witness after postponing three previous summonses. The Security Affairs Bureau is examining whether anyone may have breached the Land Code through arrangements in which Thai nationals hold land or condominium units on behalf of foreign buyers.

Somchat previously submitted requests to delay the appointments, citing parliamentary work on the 2027 fiscal budget bill and provincial duties.

The DSI stressed that its current work is a fact-finding inquiry and is not yet a prosecution against any individual. Investigators will decide whether to seek approval for the matter to become a formal special case after gathering witness statements and documentary evidence.

What investigators want explained

According to the DSI, investigators have prepared questions about Somchat’s business activities, their purpose, his duties within the companies concerned, the establishment of a law office - or his party office - and the source of funds used.

Somchat is reported to have been a company director and shareholder in private firms which held real estate and condominium units in Phuket alongside foreigners. He will be asked to provide company registration documents, board structures, internal job responsibilities and bank statements.

Investigators also want evidence explaining money transfers and the funding used to acquire land and condominium units. They will assess whether the businesses had genuine operations, work records and income, or whether they may have acted as nominees holding assets for foreigners.

The DSI said it has already questioned several other witnesses and will compare Somchat’s account with their evidence and relevant documents.

Claims over company registrations

Reports provided to journalists said the inquiry concerns financial links involving companies alleged to have been nominees connected with the establishment of a law office.

They said Somchat was listed as a shareholder and authorised signatory, and that more than 30 companies had been registered. Most of those companies were said not to have conducted real business, instead holding land or condominium property with foreigners.

The reports also said Somchat held 99.99% of shares in a company with no genuine business operation but which held more than 100 million baht in property, including land and condominium units alongside foreigners.

While the reported conduct may not meet the elements of an offence under the Foreign Business Act 1999, it could potentially raise issues under the Land Code, which focuses on the intention behind land ownership, the reports said.

Join the discussion?

23 September 2026