Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered police and other relevant agencies to inspect suspected nominee landholdings across Thailand following concerns over Chinese-linked capital acquiring large plots in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) to develop illegal industrial estates. Get today's headlines by email Anutin said the government was expanding investigations into nominee networks involved in unlawful land ownership and warned that anyone found violating Thai land ownership laws would face legal action. He said the crackdown was intended to reinforce confidence that Thailand remained governed by the rule of law. The move follows growing concerns over foreign-linked nominee arrangements, particularly involving land acquisitions in the EEC. Anutin rejected claims that illegal industrial estates could already be operating in the region, stating that such developments require official approval, utility infrastructure and compliance with multiple legal requirements before they can proceed. He stressed that establishing an industrial estate was subject to strict legal procedures and could not be carried out informally or outside the law. Relevant agencies have therefore been instructed to investigate suspected violations and widen existing probes into nominee ownership networks. Anutin said the government had already taken action against nominee arrangements in Phuket and Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, where authorities recently raided suspected illegal sites and revoked unlawful land rights. He said these operations demonstrated the government’s commitment to enforcing land ownership laws nationwide. The prime minister said the enforcement campaign was designed to protect both the public and legitimate investors. He added that ordinary citizens earning an honest living should not be intimidated or placed at a disadvantage by illegal business practices and said he was closely monitoring the issue while ordering the strongest possible enforcement. Responding to questions about the role of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office and the government’s Fast Track policy for investment approvals, Anutin said every agency must operate within its own legal framework. He warned that overlapping authority or jurisdictional disputes should be avoided. He also said investment promotion should not be confined to the EEC, adding that the government wanted to encourage investment throughout Thailand in line with wider national economic policy. The Nation reported that Anutin said, “Under this administration, when we act, we act with full force. We have warned against challenging Thai law because it damages investor confidence. The country is governed by law, and those who break it will be punished.” Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 7 July 2026
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