Former Phuket MP Urges Investigation into ‘Nominee’ Businesses Exploiting Legal Loopholes

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

Former Member of Parliament for Phuket, Suttha Prateep Na Thalang, has called for a thorough investigation into the use of ‘nominee’ arrangements by foreigners to conduct illegal businesses in the province. He has also suggested reducing the free visa period to 30 days in order to close legal loopholes and prevent foreigners from competing with local Thai workers.

 

The call follows recent allegations posted on social media by a former Finance Minister, accusing Phuket police officers of accepting bribes from foreign tourists, ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 baht, to avoid legal action. Suttha emphasised that both the officers accepting bribes and the tourists offering them were committing criminal acts.

 

In addition to this issue, Suttha expressed concerns about foreigners using loopholes in the law to take away jobs from Thai citizens. He noted that some foreigners were opening shops, companies, and car rental businesses in the province using Thai ‘nominees’ to hold shares on their behalf. He has called on the Department of Business Development to enforce stricter controls on business registrations to prevent such practices.

 

Suttha also urged tourism-related organisations, such as the local Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Business Association, to take a stand on the matter and not allow the issue to continue unchecked.

 

Furthermore, he criticised the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for failing to address long-standing corruption cases in Phuket, some of which have been unresolved for decades, leaving many offenders unpunished due to their advancing age.

 

He also voiced concerns about the policy of allowing a 60-day free visa for foreign tourists, suggesting that this could provide a window for some to engage in illegal businesses. Since most tourists typically stay for only up to 21 days, he argued that extending the visa period to 60 days has made it easier for foreigners to overstay and continue their business operations without legal repercussions.

 

Suttha also raised the issue of foreign tourists renting large-engine motorcycles, particularly those with engines ranging from 350cc to over 1,000cc. He pointed out that Phuket’s roads are not designed to accommodate such large vehicles, leading to frequent crashes. In response, Suttha has proposed limiting the engine size for rental motorcycles to no more than 160cc for safety reasons and to protect local businesses from being overtaken by foreign competitors. 

 

He noted that foreign tourists, particularly from countries like France and Russia, are increasingly renting high-priced motorcycles, which are beyond the investment capabilities of most Thai nationals.

 

Suttha concluded with the following demands:

 

1. An investigation into foreign-owned businesses and ‘nominee’ arrangements in Phuket, with stricter enforcement by the Department of Business Development and related authorities.

 

2. A reduction of the free visa period to 30 days to limit opportunities for foreigners to exploit legal loopholes for illegal business activities.

 

3. The introduction of measures to regulate the rental of large motorcycles in tourist areas to reduce accidents and protect Thai businesses.

 

“Action must be taken swiftly to address these issues before Thai businesses in Phuket are overwhelmed by foreign competitors,” Suttha stressed.

 

 

-- 2025-03-16

 

[KireB]

Only Thai officials can steal from Thais.

[baansgr]

How long befor.tbis thread turns into a rent rather than buy topic 

[ChipButty]

As it says, Former MP, so what now he's trying to score some points? all talk I never see anything happen, does he get told to shut up, 

[JoePai]

He has some very good points but I fear nothing will happen - sad

[stevenl]

His points are not Phuket related, but he's very right. Will his opinion have any effect, no. 

[billd766]

He is supposedly a former MP.

 

Why has he waited so long to bring this topic up?

 

Is this a new thing that has just started, or has it been going on for years, even during the time that he WAS an MP?

[PETERTHEEATER]

On 3/16/2025 at 3:50 AM, Georgealbert said:

........to take away jobs from Thai citizens...........

Oh! I thought they were just creating new job for themselves.

[AustinRacing]

Where are the stats regarding high power bikes causing more accidents than small bikes. My gutfeel says the other way around makes more sense. The novice or someone with no riding background is more likely to rent a small bike for fun and new experiences. 

[stevenl]

26 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

Where are the stats regarding high power bikes causing more accidents than small bikes. My gutfeel says the other way around makes more sense. The novice or someone with no riding background is more likely to rent a small bike for fun and new experiences. 

No idea about stats, but those Nmax's, Tmax's and others are a major pain in the butt.

[jcmj]

I agree with much of what he said, although a little too late. Also the foreigners setting up shop are mostly hiring Thais and are paying tax and ss for them which you can’t say for most Thai run businesses. So start taxing your workers, businesses and mom and pops roadside shops and see what happens. Either your revenue will go up or places will shut down. The amount of Thais paying taxes is laughable to the foreigners who must pay. The days of having your cake and eating it to are long gone.