Pictures courtesy of Daily News

 

Immigration police in Koh Samui have filed criminal complaints against a 60-year-old British woman, identified only as Maxine accused of illegally operating a bar and restaurant through Thai nominee shareholders, after investigators uncovered more than 17 million baht transferred into her personal accounts. The action, confirmed on 26 November 2025, targets Maxine, two Thai women identified as Ladda and Jirichuda, and Sin by Night Co., Ltd., the business allegedly used to run a bar-girl venue and food and beverage operation in Chaweng. Officials say the case reflects a breach of Thai law governing foreign business ownership and suggests a concealed attempt by a foreign national to control a restricted business sector.

 

The investigation followed the arrest on 24 May 2025 of two British fugitives, Ben Ash, 37 and Keirral Daniel, 38, in Bo Phut, Koh Samui, on charges of robbery and illegal entry while fleeing to Thailand. Police later found that during their time in hiding, the pair were involved in operating an entertainment venue featuring bar-girl dance shows under the name “Sin by Night,” prompting a broader probe into the company behind the business. Surat Thani Immigration confirmed that Maxine, mother of Ben, held 49% of the company’s shares, while two Thai nationals held a combined 51% but were found to have no financial involvement.

 

Investigators reported that two company bank accounts were used to transfer funds into Maxine’s personal accounts between 2023 and March 2025, amounting to 17.3 million baht, including 11.7 million baht in revenue transfers and 5.6 million baht in cash deposits. Both Thai shareholders told police they were employed as bar staff, received salaries and did not invest any money, stating that their names were used so the business could legally appear Thai-owned. Pol. Col. Naruwat Phuttawiro, chief of Surat Thani Immigration, said the operation aligned with national directives to crack down on foreign nationals using Thai nominees to front restricted businesses, adding that such practices could undermine the economy and displace local workers.

 

Authorities stated that Sin by Night Co., Ltd. was registered as a Thai legal entity for the sale of food and beverages and included bar-girl dance entertainment in the Chaweng area. However, investigators concluded that Maxine controlled and financed the business and held full signing authority, despite the Thai majority shareholding listed on paper. The suspects now face charges under the 1999 Foreign Business Act for using nominees to operate a business reserved for Thai nationals, specifically the sale of food and beverages.

 

The Daily News reported that the criminal complaints were formally filed with Bo Phut Police Station on Koh Samui on 26 November 2025, with further proceedings expected as the case moves into the legal process. Officials have not yet announced court dates or potential penalties, but the investigation forms part of ongoing enforcement targeting concealed foreign ownership. Authorities indicated that additional scrutiny of similar businesses may follow as financial and legal reviews continue.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Police allege a British woman controlled a Chaweng bar through Thai nominees, with more than 17 million baht transferred to her accounts.

• Two Thai shareholders told investigators they invested no money and acted only as salaried employees.

• The case proceeds under the Foreign Business Act, following a wider crackdown on concealed foreign control of restricted businesses.

 

Related Stories

 

British-fugitives-arrested-for-robbery-fraud-linked-to-nominee-businesses-on-Koh-Samui

 

 

 Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Dailynews 2025-11-27

 

 

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

Both Thai shareholders told police they were employed as bar staff, received salaries and did not invest any money, stating that their names were used so the business could legally appear Thai-owned.

this happens everywhere especilly in major tourist cities like Pattaya and Phuket

The foreign thai company owners with 51% thsi nominees must be worried they may be next

Why was this place singled out when there are hundreds of places ran by foreigners in the same way in samui 🤔

Seems to be making a lot of money for a basic bar / restaurant i.

This is clearly a prostitution-related business. The police must be paid off to their satisfaction. That may not have happened.

 

Secondly, with the family drawing attention to themselves possibly fleeing international justice, it brings in national police and higher authorities which the local police don't need.

3 hours ago, smedly said:

this happens everywhere

So what?? 

5 minutes ago, ronster said:

Why was this place singled out when there are hundreds of places ran by foreigners in the same way in samui 🤔

Seems to be making a lot of money for a basic bar / restaurant i.

 

I believe the 2nd paragrpah answers that. 

Simple not enough envelopes  changed hands  

51 minutes ago, ronster said:

Why was this place singled out when there are hundreds of places ran by foreigners in the same way in samui 🤔

Seems to be making a lot of money for a basic bar / restaurant i.

I think because of the two male fugitives who were originally arrested. That led to the nominee share arrangement.

 

Or so it says in the article

More Run.

 

Next time play the game right...or suffer the consequences.

1 hour ago, ronster said:

Why was this place singled out when there are hundreds of places ran by foreigners in the same way in samui 🤔

Seems to be making a lot of money for a basic bar / restaurant i.

 

I'll tell you why.

 

You register a company by name "Sin by Night Co., Ltd" and you are inviting scrutiny.

 

Wow.... brits must be some special kind of dumb.

 

 

1 hour ago, jippytum said:

The foreign thai company owners with 51% thsi nominees must be worried they may be next

Play stupid games, win stupid prize.

Bar-girl businesses are closely monitored by police who expect a significant share of the profits. 

14 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

I think because of the two male fugitives who were originally arrested. That led to the nominee share arrangement.

 

Or so it says in the article

Yeah looks like they are going that she is running it for them and they want everything of theirs .

Be making a lot bigger busts if they looked into development around makro lamai on the hillside , as guaranteed hardly any are legally owned , not to mention god knows how many other ugly projects that have appeared.

No surprises here as quite a few bars and resteraunts are run by foreigners using their ill gotten gains 💰 

No doubt some need to pay off  the local authorities 💸 💰 

To ensure their businesses thrive in Thailand 

 

Which side took the law into their own hands?

1 hour ago, wensiensheng said:

I think because of the two male fugitives who were originally arrested. That led to the nominee share arrangement.

 

Or so it says in the article

That is correct her son was one of the pair of pommys who were arrested for robbery  and if they had not then she would still  be in her little bar counting her money every night. I reckon the son might have spilt the beans on his mother.

Interesting story, investigation of wanted fugitives lead to prostitution front being caught by the system. 

 

Even though the two nominees face penalties, they might just have gotten their HG ands on an entertainment venue for free...

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The action, confirmed on 26 November 2025, targets Maxine, two Thai women identified as Ladda and Jirichuda, and Sin by Night Co., Ltd., the business allegedly used to run a bar-girl venue and food and beverage operation in Chaweng. Officials say the case reflects a breach of Thai law governing foreign business ownership and suggests a concealed attempt by a foreign national to control a restricted business sector.

Best to stay out of any business in Thailand... if it's for Thais only let them stump up the money and run-it.

5 hours ago, ronster said:

Why was this place singled out when there are hundreds of places ran by foreigners in the same way in samui 🤔

Seems to be making a lot of money for a basic bar / restaurant i.

Lack of brown envelopes delivered. 

Probably money laundering.

5 hours ago, ronster said:

Why was this place singled out when there are hundreds of places ran by foreigners in the same way in samui 🤔

Seems to be making a lot of money for a basic bar / restaurant i.

17 million reasons

Overstay laws need to be changed.  Two for one. -  Over 30 days gets you 60 days working latrine duty in BKK Hilton.  

8 hours ago, ronster said:

Why was this place singled out when there are hundreds of places ran by foreigners in the same way in samui 🤔

Seems to be making a lot of money for a basic bar / restaurant i.

One of few go-go bars on Samui

15 hours ago, ronster said:

Why was this place singled out when there are hundreds of places ran by foreigners in the same way in samui 🤔

Seems to be making a lot of money for a basic bar / restaurant i.

Read the reviews on Google maps, you'll figure it out.

 

Hopefully the police would send that scum to the monkey house. 

On 11/27/2025 at 8:19 AM, mushroomdave said:

 

I believe the 2nd paragrpah answers that. 

Been on the mushrooms Dave?

On 11/27/2025 at 9:19 AM, Celsius said:

 

I'll tell you why.

 

You register a company by name "Sin by Night Co., Ltd" and you are inviting scrutiny.

 

Wow.... brits must be some special kind of dumb.

 

 

Perhaps 'NOW', any nationality is dumb, things are a changing in LOS.......🤗

That's the reason it's closed again,before yesterday i saw no people there in the Samui webcam on Yt