Crime Commerce Ministry Targets Over 10 Foreign-Linked Businesses in Huai Khwang Crackdown

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures courtesy of Matichon.

 

The Ministry of Commerce has announced that legal action is being prepared against more than ten businesses in the Huai Khwang district of Bangkok, following a coordinated inspection campaign aimed at identifying illegal foreign business operations.

 

Mr. Naphinthorn Srisanpang, Deputy Commerce Minister, revealed that the crackdown followed orders from the Committee for the Management of Foreign Goods and Business Violations, chaired by Commerce Minister Mr. Pichai Nariptaphan. A special task force, led by Deputy Permanent Secretary of Commerce Lt. Col. Jakkra Yodmanee, conducted inspections on 25 April.

 

The inspections covered ten restaurants, one supermarket, and one real estate agency located along Pracharat Bamphen and Ratchadaphisek roads. The multi-agency operation included officials from the Department of Business Development, Department of Employment, Immigration Bureau, Economic Crime Suppression Division, and the Huai Khwang District Office.

 

Preliminary findings revealed one restaurant suspected of operating without the required permits under the Foreign Business Act. This case will be formally handed over to the Economic Crime Suppression Division for further legal action.

Moreover, several other businesses displayed behaviour consistent with the use of Thai nominees to illegally facilitate foreign ownership, a practice prohibited under Thai law. Authorities plan to summon the owners for further investigation and require them to clarify the nature of their operations. It was also noted that many businesses closed temporarily upon noticing the inspections, raising suspicions about possible legal violations. Special task forces will return to these businesses for further scrutiny when they reopen.

 

Mr. Naphinthorn stressed that this proactive enforcement is designed to protect legitimate Thai businesses and the broader economy. He warned Thai citizens who act as nominees for foreigners, holding shares or otherwise supporting unlawful business practices, that they face serious penalties, including imprisonment of up to three years, fines ranging from 100,000 to 1,000,000 baht, or both. Furthermore, courts can order the cessation of nominee arrangements, with non-compliance leading to additional daily fines of 10,000 to 50,000 baht.

 

The Deputy Minister affirmed that the task force will continue its operations rigorously and without interruption to ensure compliance with the law and safeguard national economic interests.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-04-27.