Pictures courtesy of Daily News

 

Authorities have conducted raid on Koh Phangan, targeting businesses linked to foreign nationals and uncovering 89 nominee companies suspected of tax evasion and illegal property operations. Officials also investigated luxury villas illegally operating as tourist accommodation, prompting the questioning of foreign visitors. The operation marks a crackdown on hidden business structures on the island.

 

The operation took place at 10:00 on 21 October at Koh Phangan Police Station, Surat Thani, led by Pol Col Sirichai Suksat, Deputy Commander of Surat Thani Provincial Police, as head of a task force addressing foreign criminal activity. The raid followed orders from Governor Theerut Supaviboonphon, aiming to inspect offenders and those supporting foreign-run businesses. Police, along with tax, land and forensic officials, coordinated the inspections across four key targets.

 

The first two targets were commercial buildings in the Talad Mai area of Koh Phangan, housing the nominee companies and an advisory office providing legal, accounting and company registration services, as well as construction services. While one office contained staff and records, the second was empty, showing no signs of activity. At the third target, the home of the company owner, officials seized related documents but did not find the owner, who was reportedly in Bangkok with his foreign spouse.

 

The fourth target involved a beachside villa project at Khao Hin Nok, comprising eight villas, seven of which were occupied by foreign tourists paying 13,000 baht per night. Local authorities confirmed the villas were operating without proper hotel licenses, leading to the questioning of six individuals, including the villa manager and foreign tenants. Investigations revealed that nearby similar villas were also under construction, with land ownership held by two Thai companies with 49% Israeli shareholders and a total property value of 152 million baht. Subsequent land division and additional company share purchases suggest potential attempts to disguise villa sales and avoid taxes.

 

Authorities plan to continue reviewing documents and financial records to determine the extent of tax evasion and illegal foreign business activity. The case may lead to further enforcement actions, including fines, legal proceedings, and stricter oversight of foreign-invested properties.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Authorities uncovered 89 nominee companies on Koh Phangan linked to potential tax evasion.

• Luxury villas were operating illegally as tourist accommodation, with foreign guests questioned.

• Land ownership and company share structures suggest attempts to disguise property sales.

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Dailynews 2025-10-22

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good job for the BIB... I can't wait for this to happen in Pattaya and Phuket... The arrests will be in the thousands... And perhaps those cities will become a better place to visit afterwards

2 minutes ago, thesetat said:

Good job for the BIB... I can't wait for this to happen in Pattaya and Phuket... The arrests will be in the thousands... And perhaps those cities will become a better place to visit afterwards

 

One can only hope.   And how many times have people been advised ...

"just start a company, no problems owning (whatever)"

So, who approved the registration of the 89 companies in the first place?  Who provided the "legal" documentation for these companies?   Some one on Khao San Road or some government official?

4 hours ago, thesetat said:

Good job for the BIB... I can't wait for this to happen in Pattaya and Phuket... The arrests will be in the thousands... And perhaps those cities will become a better place to visit afterwards

Who gets all these luxury properties when they are confiscated 

21 hours ago, crazykopite said:

Who gets all these luxury properties when they are confiscated 

 

Perhaps the RTP. ??