Thai police have arrested 13 foreign suspects during an operation targeting alleged nominee company arrangements linked to pool villas in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan. The operation, launched on 10 August, involved more than 200 officers and officials. Police issued arrest warrants for 45 foreign suspects, summonses for 39 Thais, and search warrants for 15 locations. Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Samran Nuanma ordered the operation, known as "Dismantling Foreign Nominee Networks, Phase 6". It was led by Pol Lt Gen Noppasin Poolsawat and included Provincial Police Region 7, Prachuap Khiri Khan police, the provincial governor, the Department of Business Development and the Land Department. Six firms under scrutiny at Hua Hin development The searches centred on the A Hua Hin project in Thap Tai, Hua Hin, a modern detached-house and pool-villa development where homes are priced at about 10-20 million baht each. Police said their investigation found six companies allegedly using Thai nominee shareholders to acquire property in the development. Four companies were linked to A Hua Hin Phase 1 - identified as Inter, Blue, Cro and Humming - while two, L and Chris, were linked to Phase 2. Foreigners questioned by investigators reportedly said they wanted to own property and had been advised by legal and accounting firms to establish Thai companies for that purpose. They told police they believed this meant their ownership was lawful. Police said the companies had not conducted business. Thai nationals listed as shareholders allegedly said they were holding shares for foreigners, had never paid for the shares, managed no companies and had never seen financial documents or evidence of their shareholdings. Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid Documents seized as police widen inquiry Officers seized company registration and accounting records, computers, mobile phones and electronic data. They will examine financial trails and seek to identify other people or networks involved, in Thailand and overseas. Police said 13 people were arrested under the warrants. Their list of nationalities comprised three Britons, one Italian, four Chinese, one French national, one Dutch national, one Austrian, one Filipino and one American. The operation forms part of a wider national crackdown on alleged foreign nominee networks in tourist areas. During the previous five phases, police said they examined 233 plots of land and buildings covering more than 160 rai, with an estimated value of 2.539 billion baht. Police said those earlier operations covered six provinces, listing Surat Thani, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi and Chon Buri. Courts approved 133 arrest warrants and 20 cases have already resulted in convictions, according to police. The Royal Thai Police said it will continue investigating nominee arrangements and foreign-funded businesses alleged to be operating illegally, including any state officials suspected of corruption or assisting offenders. Reports can be made to local police stations or the 1599 police hotline, available 24 hours a day. Join the discussion? 11 August 2026
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