Thailand’s Department of Lands has stepped up efforts to crack down on illegal nominee landholding arrangements used by foreign nationals to acquire land through Thai citizens or company structures. Authorities warned that offenders could face imprisonment, fines and compulsory land sales under existing laws.
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The tougher measures include stricter checks before and after land registration, along with closer cooperation between government agencies to monitor suspicious transactions. Officials said the campaign is intended to protect national interests, ensure fairness in land ownership and prevent attempts to evade Thai property laws.
Under Thai law, foreigners may own land only in limited circumstances. These include inheritance as a statutory heir, residential purchases made under investment conditions permitted by law, or ownership allowed under specific legislation such as Board of Investment promotion rules.
Authorities said some foreign nationals have attempted to bypass restrictions by using Thai nominees or establishing companies to disguise foreign ownership. In response, the Department of Lands has introduced more proactive screening measures before registration takes place.
Officials will examine the source of funds and relationships between parties in cases where a Thai national is suspected of holding land on behalf of a foreigner. In Thai-foreign marriages, the Thai spouse must confirm that the money used to purchase the land is genuinely personal property.
Where companies are suspected of acting as nominee structures, officials will investigate shareholding arrangements, actual business income, investment funding sources and the intended use of the land. The department said the aim is to prevent firms being used as fronts for illegal ownership.
The crackdown also extends beyond registration. Authorities will monitor land use patterns, advertising activity and public behaviour in target areas where foreigners may appear to present themselves as the true owners of land.
If complaints or suspicious information emerge, a fact-finding committee will be established immediately. The department also plans to monitor legal entities with foreign shareholders every three months to track changes in investment and landholding patterns.
The Department of Lands said the operation will rely on data-sharing with the Department of Business Development, the Anti-Money Laundering Office, the Department of Special Investigation and other agencies to improve detection and enforcement efforts.
If investigations find no wrongdoing, monitoring will continue. However, where nominee ownership or other illegal conduct is identified, legal proceedings will begin immediately and cases may also be referred to the Ministry of Interior for further consideration.
The Nation reported that officials stressed the measures are not intended to discourage foreign investment, but to ensure fair and transparent enforcement of Thai law while safeguarding the national interest.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 13 May 2026