Thailand Probes 50,000 Nominees in Tourist Hubs

7 hours ago, Rams86 said:

I own 3 properties in Thailand all in my Thai wifes name. Prior to purchasing those properties I was more interested in a one or 2 bedroom condo in the Naklua Road area. At least 5 properties I inspected were exactly what I wanted. When it came down to the itty gritty and and a 3rd party was mentioned I told my wife to tell them no thanks. I explained the implications to her later. This has been going on for at least 25 years that I know of, so the Government must've know about this when the documents were presented prior to the sale.

Strange comment ,you dont own anything really?

3 minutes ago, MRMOUSE said:

Strange comment ,you dont own anything really?

And are happy eating the bugs..yes that's what they want 100%

10 hours ago, Kinnock said:

Shifting sands of politics. It was an open secret for many years, and toldrated by officialdom, but also a convenient way to sell property.

In Thai politics, there's always wheels within wheels, intrigue and subterfuge, and it must suit someone's political agenda to clamp down on foreign business ownership.

But only one legal way. As some may find out soon.

9 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

Refreshing to hear from someone who knows what they're talking about, as opposed to the 99.9999999% of commenters here who don't. The one most common piece of advice I give to foreigners who have questions about life here is "consult with a Thai law firm". One consult is often free, and invaluable in the long run. Cheers.

You mean like most of the 50,000 nominee situations now being investigated?

Trusting (and paying) Thai lawyers is a huge part of the problem.

15 hours ago, baansgr said:

Most legal companies recommend for Foreign ownership to be 39% over 10 years ago, this same clampdown was going on then..on a side note, many Thai bar girls are paid 300 baht to use their details.

yes, this nothing new and has been going on for decades.

However, everyone once in a while there is a crack down. Just like they have a crack down on under age drinking, work permits or whatever they decide for that month.

Same story, different department. Someone up top gets upset about something and then there's a crackdown for a few weeks and then things go back to normal.

18 hours ago, The Alien said:

Why did they allow this situation to persist for so many years? I wonder without the involvement of lawyers and government agencies, is it possible for foreigners to manage and establish companies here?

Lawyers and agents involved in setting these up should be prosecuted.

The authorities were laying a giant elephant trap for years

14 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

The one most common piece of advice I give to foreigners who have questions about life here is "consult with a Thai law firm"

These the same law firms who set up these nominee companies for years? now pretending they never did

20 hours ago, ryandb said:

I don't own, but I've been interested in leasing land and building something small which I'm not bothered about walking away from in the future for the same I spend in rent for 10 years. Mostly because I have dogs and want more land space, but I would never do the nominee thing, especially at the prices of some of these villas on the islands.

I can understand the mindset of doing it if you have crazy wealth outside the nation but people who sell up back home and invest it all over here are insane.

I have a 30-year lease, registered at the land office, on the property (land and house) where I live. Paid cash for the lease to the owner and a small fee to the land office. Have 16 years left on the lease and everything is working well; I can do whatever I want and don't have to worry about rent. At the land office we (the owner and myself) were asked what should be included in the contract, and I understood that the only restriction was that I could not be married to the owner at the time of signing the contract.

18 hours ago, rocketboy2 said:

The bit about condos is just BS.

There is also a question relating to condos in the 51% Thai allocation that may well have been bought in a company name by a non-Thai. Often a way of getting a lower price. Are those also to be scrutinized?

1 minute ago, jacko45k said:

There is also a question relating to condos in the 51% Thai allocation that may well have been bought in a company name by a non-Thai. Often a way of getting a lower price. Are those also to be scrutinized?

Yes, it's been a big baiting scam for years, now it's time for the authorities to start reeling the money in 💰

23 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

There is also a question relating to condos in the 51% Thai allocation that may well have been bought in a company name by a non-Thai. Often a way of getting a lower price. Are those also to be scrutinized?

Yes, maybe they will be looked into. but think the government are after the house owners .

Must admit anyone that went down that road to own a condo in thiland.

is off there rocker.