Photo courtesy of Thai PBS

The Department of Business Development (DBD) and the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) have launched investigations into law and audit firms suspected of facilitating the illegal acquisition of Thai land by foreigners through nominee arrangements. DBD Director-General Poonpong Naiyanapakorn announced that 86 cases have been recorded in recent months, with legal proceedings initiated. These firms are believed to have encouraged Thai nationals to act as nominees for financial incentives, bypassing laws in Thailand that restrict land ownership by foreigners.

The issue of foreign land ownership has been under scrutiny, as Thai law prohibits foreigners from owning land, with some exceptions. These include a minimum investment of 40 million baht in Board of Investment (BOI)-promoted businesses, and limited residential land ownership with governmental approval. The spike in illegal transactions is notable in tourist-focused areas.

In response to these activities, the DBD has provided a list of 397 corporate entities suspected of connections to these schemes to the CIB and the Anti-Money Laundering Office for further examination. The investigation aims to dismantle networks exploiting legal loopholes to facilitate foreign land acquisition. The impact of these activities is substantial across provinces like Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Surat Thani, and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Going forward, the DBD plans to strengthen measures to deter such malpractices. This includes collaborating with local law enforcement and financial bodies to enhance surveillance and enforcement. The crackdown hopes to preserve the integrity of Thai land ownership regulations and ultimately curb illegal practices that threaten local economies, reported Thai PBS.

Key Takeaways

• Thai authorities are investigating firms circumventing land ownership laws.

• 86 cases recorded, legal actions underway against involved parties.

• Increased scrutiny on foreign land ownership and legal entity registrations.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS 2026-01-16

 

 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Department of Business Development (DBD) and the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) have launched investigations into law and audit firms suspected of facilitating the illegal acquisition of Thai land by foreigners through nominee arrangements. DBD Director-General Poonpong Naiyanapakorn announced that 86 cases have been recorded in recent months, with legal proceedings initiated.

In response to these activities, the DBD has provided a list of 397 corporate entities suspected of connections to these schemes to the CIB and the Anti-Money Laundering Office for further examination.

Ruh Roh. I think I just heard the sound of 86 + 397 foreign butts puckering, with more on the way.

While this is a reasonable step forward, it seems to place the law enforcement and diligence on firms that simply draw up the paperwork, rather than a routine check that should be done by the Land Title's Office to find the culprit behid the schemes. Investigating these small law firms misses the point. The nominees are mules - no different to the money laundering we've seen happening through poor people's bank accounts, and the fallout it's had on foreigner's bank accounts in Thailand (suspensions, etc.). The nominees should be producing evidence that they had the means to be a partner in the sale. Why should the law firms do that investigation - there should be a procedure in place (e.g. produce one year of bank records for each - a bit like the Imm Office makes us do).

2 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

While this is a reasonable step forward, it seems to place the law enforcement and diligence on firms that simply draw up the paperwork, rather than a routine check that should be done by the Land Title's Office to find the culprit behid the schemes. Investigating these small law firms misses the point.

The guys I feel for are those who have been led to believe that what they are doing is perfectly legal, by attorneys who only get paid if they convince their clients to go down that route.

I don't think that things will change greatly, mainly because of the corruption surrounding such things as this, with payments going to various "involved" parties to ensure that the transactions aren't investigated/obvious – – don't forget, TIT, and although a few "examples" might be held up as evidence that the investigations are working, things won't change!

It looks to me that this could turn out to be very serious for participants and the 'Owners' living in the properties. But if Thai Authorities do manage to follow through on these 'evasions' of their Law, it will compound an already awful injustice.

I believe in most Countries around the World, certainly the UK, Thai people can obtain freehold on Land and own it in the fullest sense. I fail to understand why, say the UK, does not protest to Thailand about these restrictions or even, impose similar on Thai people seeking to buy property in the UK.

Thailand seems to be given free rein on imposing these indignities on Foreigners here, although being free of such restrictions in the opposite situation.

E & O E

I completely OPPOSE foreigners owning land in Thailand or more than 50% of condo properties. If we own land, foreigners, esp Chinese, will price Thais out of the market, just as they have in Vancouver.

I have always said the day is coming where a big number of foreigners will be relived of the property that they think is legally theirs. Tick, tick, tick.

5 hours ago, xylophone said:

I don't think that things will change greatly, mainly because of the corruption surrounding such things as this, with payments going to various "involved" parties to ensure that the transactions aren't investigated/obvious – – don't forget, TIT, and although a few "examples" might be held up as evidence that the investigations are working, things won't change!

Isn't it perfectly legal if everyone else is doing it? 😂

This issue, along with border disputes with Cambodia, tend to surface when internal Thai politics get bumpy, like before elections, or when political parties need something to point to and say "we're the party safeguarding Thailand's sovereignty and you're not!".

But that's not to say that someday there will not be a comprehensive enforcement push.

Buying a house/bungalow for you and the wife in her name and you pay outright or have a mortgage is fine (as many banks will make you sign a mortgage agreement that you will help her pay for it)... it's the shell-company scammers that they are after who use it to swallow up pieces of land for foreign shadowy entities pulling strings from the sidelines.

I have seen that every single year for at least the last 20 years, then a few weeks later the tread evaporates. This year will be no different

On 1/17/2026 at 11:26 AM, CallumWK said:

I have seen that every single year for at least the last 20 years, then a few weeks later the tread evaporates. This year will be no different

We all know what Thailand is like. It's fine until it's not fine.

One of these years Thai"land" will be returned to Thai's. That's a vote winning statement at election time. 🙂

About time

24 minutes ago, whiteman said:

About time

There's always some anti farang sentiment near election time. 🙂