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Police in Phuket have arrested two Belarusian nationals for running an illicit car rental business. The operation, which did not require valid driving licences, was associated with several accidents involving foreigners. Authorities took action after tracing these incidents back to a rental shop on Saiyuan Road.

The unlicensed business was supposedly fronted by Thai citizens to bypass restrictions on foreign ownership. Acting solely on handling rentals and payments, the Belarusians did not verify driving licences, leading to numerous traffic accidents. Chalong police confirmed the arrests were made after a raid and court-issued warrants.

The suspects, whose names have not been disclosed, face charges for operating without authorisation and using Thai nominees. According to Thai law, foreigners need permits for specific business activities, and using nominee shareholders is illegal. Evidence was gathered from the rental shop and an accounting firm.

The arrests are a reminder of the legal boundaries for foreigners conducting businesses in Thailand. Experts suggest increased vigilance in monitoring such operations to prevent similar incidents in the future. Authorities continue to investigate how widespread this practice is across the region.

Looking forward, legal proceedings against the arrested individuals will unfold, and the impact on the local business community remains to be seen. The Bangkok Post reported that this case may lead to stricter enforcement and prevention measures to deter unauthorised foreign-run enterprises in Thailand.

Key Takeaways

• Two Belarusians arrested for running an illegal car rental in Phuket.

• Business linked to several accidents due to lack of valid driving licence checks.

• Use of Thai nominees to bypass foreign ownership restrictions is illegal.

Related Stories:

Russian Man Arrested for Illegal Vehicle Rentals on Koh Phangan

Russian and Ukrainian Nationals Arrested for Illegal Car Rentals

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2026-01-17

 

 

Loads of these and private car rental on the islands. You just need look at Facebook for 5 minutes to see them openly advertising.

How can operate any kind of big investment business legally if the 51% have to be thai shareholders?

20 minutes ago, dpeti73 said:

How can operate any kind of big investment business legally if the 51% have to be thai shareholders?

Nominees

Stricter visa policy is required!

Belarusians must be very stupid businessmen. How long did they expect to get away with running that business in Thailand and which upfront initial investment would have been large AND on top of that do not ensure the rental customer has a drivers licence?

Reminds me of Forest Gump, "stupid is as stupid does"

5 minutes ago, cynic1 said:

Belarusians must be very stupid businessmen. How long did they expect to get away with running that business in Thailand and which upfront initial investment would have been large AND on top of that do not ensure the rental customer has a drivers licence?

Reminds me of Forest Gump, "stupid is as stupid does"

Best to stay out of business in Thailand... even when it's legit.

Just one shop. There are hundreds.

20 hours ago, ronster said:

Loads of these and private car rental on the islands. You just need look at Facebook for 5 minutes to see them openly advertising.

many of the ones here in kamala are russian>
they go to a local business who has a shop and street front ( doesn't matter what it is) , offer him a % and the russians buy the bikes and rent them out
gets around the foreign owned aspect

I'm trying to think where this place could be, if it's the one I think it is, it's been there a few years they had a load of decent cars and some big bikes, So it took the authorities a long time to latch on to them.

On 1/17/2026 at 2:57 AM, cynic1 said:

Belarusians must be very stupid businessmen. How long did they expect to get away with running that business in Thailand and which upfront initial investment would have been large AND on top of that do not ensure the rental customer has a drivers licence?

Reminds me of Forest Gump, "stupid is as stupid does"

money laundering?

14 hours ago, ChipButty said:

I'm trying to think where this place could be, if it's the one I think it is, it's been there a few years they had a load of decent cars and some big bikes, So it took the authorities a long time to latch on to them.

On the way from Islander to the intersection that leads to nai harn, on the left just past the 7/11 is a car rental place with a big sign 'we're closed '. Could be that one, in general i don't pay much attention to rental places.

No foreigners should be driving in TH.

It's a one way street to eventual crash and burn.

Just take Grabs, songthaew or walk for a safer tourist experience.

33 minutes ago, stevenl said:

On the way from Islander to the intersection that leads to nai harn, on the left just past the 7/11 is a car rental place with a big sign 'we're closed '. Could be that one, in general i don't pay much attention to rental places.

It did say Sai Yuan road, the one I was thinking about is facing the Masajid,

1 hour ago, ChipButty said:

It did say Sai Yuan road, the one I was thinking about is facing the Masajid,

That's just outside of the area i walk frequently. So no idea.

Funny how everyone has other reference places.