Wanted American Arrested in Phuket for Illegal Business Operations

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture of arrest.

 

A 67-year-old American man has been arrested in Phuket Old Town for allegedly violating Thailand’s Foreign Business Act.

 

Phuket authorities confirmed the arrest of Donald Ray, a US national, at a restaurant on Takua Pa Road in Talad Yai on the evening of 14 February. The arrest followed a court warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court on 13 February.

 

Ray is accused of illegally operating a business in a sector restricted to Thai nationals. Officials suspect he used a Thai national to manage the business, an offence under List 3 of the Foreign Business Act, which aims to protect Thai citizens from foreign competition in certain industries.

 

The arrest came after a tip-off from an informant, and Ray reportedly acknowledged his identity and accepted the charges upon being detained. Authorities have not disclosed specific details about the nature of his business, though local sources suggest he may have been the de facto owner an entertainment establishment.

 

The case raises speculation about the role of the informant, potentially a Thai business associate, who may have initially facilitated the venture. Ray has been handed over to the police for further investigation, with legal proceedings expected.

 

 

-- 2025-02-16

 

[stevenl]

Falling out with his business partner?

[Blue Muton]

4 hours ago, stevenl said:

Falling out with his business partner?

Maybe that was the partner’s plan all along?

[Colabamumbai]

17 hours ago, stevenl said:

Falling out with his business partner?

Big rats a Thai problem. No saving face. 

[RJRS1301]

Home to Trump, not what he intended I bet

[willip]

18 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

 

Picture of arrest.

 

A 67-year-old American man has been arrested in Phuket Old Town for allegedly violating Thailand’s Foreign Business Act.

 

Phuket authorities confirmed the arrest of Donald Ray, a US national, at a restaurant on Takua Pa Road in Talad Yai on the evening of 14 February. The arrest followed a court warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court on 13 February.

 

 

Ray is accused of illegally operating a business in a sector restricted to Thai nationals. Officials suspect he used a Thai national to manage the business, an offence under List 3 of the Foreign Business Act, which aims to protect Thai citizens from foreign competition in certain industries.

 

The arrest came after a tip-off from an informant, and Ray reportedly acknowledged his identity and accepted the charges upon being detained. Authorities have not disclosed specific details about the nature of his business, though local sources suggest he may have been the de facto owner an entertainment establishment.

 

The case raises speculation about the role of the informant, potentially a Thai business associate, who may have initially facilitated the venture. Ray has been handed over to the police for further investigation, with legal proceedings expected.

 

 

-- 2025-02-16

 

Didn't pay bribes?

[Gerryv001]

Didn’t big pu**y get whacked in the Soprano’s. Looks like he’s alive and well in Thailand! 

[hotchilli]

19 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Ray is accused of illegally operating a business in a sector restricted to Thai nationals. Officials suspect he used a Thai national to manage the business, an offence under List 3 of the Foreign Business Act, which aims to protect Thai citizens from foreign competition in certain industries.

Strange.

[Snackbar]

His Ex has a new PoliceMan boyfriend 

[NemoH]

How convenient … business prosper and Thai partners probably sold him out … 🤣🤣🤣 and next will takeover the business … pure greed and evil …in any event it started with illegality and probably will not last anyway ..

 

Be careful who you get in bed with …..stay safe 

[PomPolo]

Sherlock Holmes must have been on the case again finding a foreignor operating a business in the land of brown envelopes

[Expat Tom]

Is Thailand proud of its new ranking on the World Corruption Perception Index? In 2023 Thailand was ranked as the 106th most corrupt country in the world. In 2024 Thailand slipped to 107th most corrupt country. Maybe that is why the Russians love it here. Russia us ranked 141st on the index, (transparency.org) 

 

I have lived here for over 15 years and have avoided any problems. If you are a farang in Thailand, keep your head down and your mouth shut and spend money. If you follow these simple rules the Thais will love you.

 

If you own a motor bike, keep your registration papers, driver's license and 1000 baht in a plastic bag under your seat and you will get no tickets.   

[smedly]

1 hour ago, Snackbar said:

His Ex has a new PoliceMan boyfriend 

lol, probably true but..................

 

how many - like seriously - pretty much 1000's of entertainment establishments have this sort of techncicly illegal arrangement, no checks as to how they are funded - where the money comes from

 

this guy wasn't playing ball or some other reason more sinister - either way he got shafted - reason unknown 

[TheFishman1]

Why don’t they go after the people who set up these phone corporations are arrangements it seems like they always bust a foreigner why don’t they go after the guy who set the whole thing up the Thai national it was supposed to be the front guy all the illegal ties that are allowing this to happen you never heard about them getting arrested yes because once the foreigner gets pulled from the business and they just take it over There don’t spend any money their own they have their own business TIT 

[riverhigh]

Yup. We only get half the story, the rest is left to our imagination.  On the limited information provided, my guess it that the American took some shortcuts in setting up a corporation to run an entertainment business in Thailand.  Just another example of a foreign retiree living his dream of running his own business and getting over his head. Being 67 years old and American, he should have a good pension and be able to live comfortably without getting involved in a sketchy Thai business.

[Captain Flack]

Several posts breaking forum rules has been removed.

 

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[jesimps]

3 hours ago, RJRS1301 said:

Home to Trump, not what he intended I bet

Every cloud has a silver lining.

[Bday Prang]

1 hour ago, Expat Tom said:

Is Thailand proud of its new ranking on the World Corruption Perception Index? In 2023 Thailand was ranked as the 106th most corrupt country in the world. In 2024 Thailand slipped to 107th most corrupt country. Maybe that is why the Russians love it here. Russia us ranked 141st on the index, (transparency.org) 

 

I have lived here for over 15 years and have avoided any problems. If you are a farang in Thailand, keep your head down and your mouth shut and spend money. If you follow these simple rules the Thais will love you.

 

If you own a motor bike, keep your registration papers, driver's license and 1000 baht in a plastic bag under your seat and you will get no tickets.   

1000 baht? are you serious?  

[Taboo2]

Bad boy, bad boy, what you gonna do, when they come for you.....555555.

[rumeaug]

4 hours ago, RJRS1301 said:

Home to Trump, not what he intended I bet

No need. Actually he can go anywhere else as long as he leaves Thailand. He can perfectly open business in neighbouring countries (Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines etc...). He's got choice.

[Gknrd]

They never learn. All over the internet , everybody talks about it. His response "that will never happen to me". Famous last words in Thailand.

 

Another one I heard all the years living there was, all she wanted is a man that treats here good. I treat her and her family so good "she would never do anything to muck it up".  I am building this guest house and home for us.  

 

It never ends.

[tjintx]

4 hours ago, RJRS1301 said:

Home to Trump, not what he intended I bet

 

Nope, Trump didn't intend that at all.

[tjintx]

2 hours ago, Expat Tom said:

Is Thailand proud of its new ranking on the World Corruption Perception Index? In 2023 Thailand was ranked as the 106th most corrupt country in the world. In 2024 Thailand slipped to 107th most corrupt country. Maybe that is why the Russians love it here. Russia us ranked 141st on the index, (transparency.org) 

 

I have lived here for over 15 years and have avoided any problems. If you are a farang in Thailand, keep your head down and your mouth shut and spend money. If you follow these simple rules the Thais will love you.

 

If you own a motor bike, keep your registration papers, driver's license and 1000 baht in a plastic bag under your seat and you will get no tickets.   

 

1000 baht?!?   You are personally responsible for raising expectations on us all!   Why 1000 baht when 200 or 300 will do?

[Liverpool Lou]

Misread.  Deleted.

[Liverpool Lou]

22 hours ago, stevenl said:

Falling out with his business partner?

Falling out with the nominee shareholder who probably was not a real partner?

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, TheFishman1 said:

Why don’t they go after the people who set up these phone corporations are arrangements it seems like they always bust a foreigner why don’t they go after the guy who set the whole thing up the Thai national it was supposed to be the front guy all the illegal ties that are allowing this to happen you never heard about them getting arrested yes because once the foreigner gets pulled from the business and they just take it over There don’t spend any money their own they have their own business TIT 

Jesus Christ...take a breath.

 

"...why don’t they go after the guy who set the whole thing up..."

It has been reported in other cases that the lawyers involved in the incorporation of raided nominee companies are being investigated also.

[Liverpool Lou]

30 minutes ago, rumeaug said:

No need. Actually he can go anywhere else as long as he leaves Thailand. He can perfectly open business in neighbouring countries (Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines etc...). He's got choice.

What makes you think that he'll be deported and have to go anywhere?

[Qld4000]

2 hours ago, Expat Tom said:

Is Thailand proud of its new ranking on the World Corruption Perception Index? In 2023 Thailand was ranked as the 106th most corrupt country in the world. In 2024 Thailand slipped to 107th most corrupt country. Maybe that is why the Russians love it here. Russia us ranked 141st on the index, (transparency.org) 

 

I have lived here for over 15 years and have avoided any problems. If you are a farang in Thailand, keep your head down and your mouth shut and spend money. If you follow these simple rules the Thais will love you.

 

If you own a motor bike, keep your registration papers, driver's license and 1000 baht in a plastic bag under your seat and you will get no tickets.   

 

[Yagoda]

18 hours ago, Blue Muton said:

Maybe that was the partner’s plan all along?

Never do business in a Country that does not want your business.

[Qld4000]

It’s no coincidence that most foreigners I’ve met over the years in Asia that have made themselves known around town as the “business man” or flaunted their cash trying to be a big shot …….have crashed & burned.  
 
Usually the new boy in town flashing the cash will actually be encouraged to start a business & will be conned into believing he’s got the “inside run” & knows the right people.   All they’re doing is getting him to sink money into property, businesses etc ..and when they think he can’t spend anymore, they pull the plug & rinse him off. 
 

While ever you’re spending money , they’ll let you do just about anything until you’ve spent it.  Then it all disappears.     Just like the women do when you tighten the purse strings.    
 

You can bet that US guys business partner/ spouse/ whatever realised that he’d likley exhausted his financial situation & served his purpose…..no longer any use to them & can run the business without him.