Pictures courtesy of Daily News

 

Authorities in Surat Thani carried out an intensive inspection of a luxury villa development on Koh Pha Ngan as part of an ongoing crackdown on foreign nationals using Thai nominees to run businesses illegally. The operation focused on a four-rai project near Koh Ma, a well-known snorkelling site, where officers found more than 20 villas under construction and detained one Myanmar worker for illegal entry. The investigation forms part of a wider campaign that has already resulted in 125 cases in just six weeks, highlighting the immediate scope and impact of the enforcement drive.

 

The visit to the construction site in Moo 8, Koh Pha Ngan, was led on 21 November by Pol. Col. Sombat Chamsaeng, Deputy Commander of Surat Thani Provincial Police, together with senior officers including Pol. Col. Apichat Jansamret and Pol. Lt. Col. Natthaphong RomSai. Their combined team included provincial investigators, Koh Pha Ngan Police, Immigration officers, Tourist Police, and local administrative officials. Investigators noted that the beachfront project advertised villa units for 59 million baht each, with five luxury structures already completed near the shoreline.

 

The inspection stemmed from a prior arrest on 4 November of an Azerbaijani national working illegally as an electrician, which led to intelligence suggesting two major companies behind the villa project were operated by a Ukrainian managing director using Thai nominees. These companies reportedly held more than 100 million baht in registered capital and were developing the high-end resort-style estate. Pol. Col. Sombat stated that evidence indicated the foreign owner had also established a full-service construction company, primarily employing Myanmar labourers.

 

Officials said they would gather all required evidence for formal complaints regarding illegal business operations by foreign nationals. This includes checks on land ownership, tax records and financial trails involving Thai shareholders. The taskforce emphasised that the aim is to ensure compliance with Thai law and prevent misuse of nominee structures by foreign investors.

 

A report noted that since Governor Theerut Supawiboonphon authorised the formation of the multi-agency taskforce, enforcement efforts between 1 October and 18 November produced 125 cases. These comprised 132 drug-related offences, 82 cases involving foreign national regulations and business operations, 40 overstays, seven fishing law violations, five drink-driving cases, two gambling offences, one waste disposal case and one theft case. Among these were four cases involving luxury villa or hotel businesses worth more than 100 million baht, connected to three Israeli nationals and one French national.

 

The Daily News reported that authorities have confirmed the investigation into the Koh Ma-adjacent development will continue, with further checks planned across all aspects of the project and associated companies. Officers aim to establish whether the villa business model, construction contracts and land arrangements comply fully with Thai law. More inspections of similar developments across Koh Pha Ngan are expected as the operation expands.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Authorities inspected a four-rai villa project on Koh Pha Ngan during a nominee crackdown.

• Evidence links the project to foreign-led companies using Thai nominees and employing Myanmar workers.

• The taskforce has recorded 125 cases in six weeks, including four high-value villa and hotel operations.

 

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 Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Dailynews 2025-11-22

 

 

 

 

Oh well, If the new owners did use Thai nominees, Then they will lose the money they invested in the home. otherwise, this is all hot air and a witch hunt. 

Can of worms! I don't hope the authorities will check out the 'Swedish town' near Huai Yang in Prachuap. Hundreds of villas 'owned' by Swedes.  

1 hour ago, KireB said:

Can of worms! I don't hope the authorities will check out the 'Swedish town' near Huai Yang in Prachuap. Hundreds of villas 'owned' by Swedes.  

No problem to own a villa as foreigner, it's the land under it that might be a problem...