Thai police have arrested 22 foreign nationals and seized more than 40 rai of land worth over 200 million baht during the second phase of a major crackdown on alleged nominee companies on Koh Phangan.

Get today's headlines by email

The operation began at 6am on 23 May 2026 after Pol Gen Samran Nuanma, deputy national police chief and director of the Centre for Suppression of Transnational Criminals and Illegal Immigration, ordered officers to target foreign-owned businesses suspected of illegally using Thai nominees to hold land and operate restricted businesses. More than 300 officers took part in the raids, led by Pol Lt Gen Nopasin Poolsawat.

Investigators pursued 39 cases and obtained warrants to search 36 locations from Koh Samui Provincial Court. Police also secured 45 arrest warrants for foreign suspects accused of operating businesses prohibited to foreigners under Thailand’s Foreign Business Act and illegally possessing land under the Land Code.

One key target was FB Properties Co Ltd, also known as Yoga House, where police alleged an Israeli national was the true owner while Thai shareholders were used as nominees. Officers said the company controlled eight plots of land covering 7.5 rai worth more than 60 million baht and had also been operating an unlicensed hotel business.

Police said these second phase raids uncovered 32 companies clearly operating as nominee firms. Authorities seized 45 plots of land totalling more than 40 rai and arrested 22 foreign nationals. Investigators estimated the total amount involved at more than 200 million baht.

The 32 companies were identified as holding land while foreign shareholders outnumbered Thai shareholders. Those firms controlled 38 plots of land covering more than 38 rai, most of them undeveloped. Officers searched 21 of the companies to collect further evidence for prosecution.

The crackdown follows an order from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to intensify action against nominee arrangements involving foreigners using Thai citizens to hold shares and land on their behalf. Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet, the national police chief, instructed officers to accelerate investigations to prevent transnational crime, illegal business operations and unfair competition affecting Thai citizens.

Authorities said the problem had been building on Koh Phangan since 2024. So far, 29 cases involving suspicious businesses have been prosecuted, with courts already ruling on two cases. A total of 62 suspects have been identified, including 32 Thai nationals and 30 foreigners.

Earlier this month, phase one of the operation focused on legal firms, accounting firms and nominee companies. Police handled 37 cases, carried out 27 searches and issued three arrest warrants. Investigators found alleged nominee shareholders included state welfare card holders and company employees, while more than 100 foreign-linked firms were registered under the same address.

ThaiRath reported that oficials said the next step will involve meetings with the Department of Business Development, provincial commerce officials and the Land Department to investigate financial trails and determine whether any state officials were involved.

Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now ThaiRath 24 May 2026

View full article

Deliberate flaunting of Thai land and business laws like this shouldn’t just end with just a token fine.

If the investigation shows the company structure was knowingly used as a front, then forfeiture of the land and penalties for ALL shareholders, both foreign and Thai should absolutely be the result.

Anything less just encourages the next group to try the same stunt.

So lend a "trusting" Thai say 1 million 51/49% but they repay it each month (legal paperwork etc) is that illegal or a legal loophole - because legal loophole is not illegal - just look at the UK

When living on Samui people that I knew or new of bought land in two ways either in the name of their Thai wife/ girlfriend or by using a list of fellow owners( Thai) provided by the lawyer who was arranging the sale. This was completely normal and done throughout the Island. It was mostly newcomers to the Island who fell into the nominee trap. One firm that I knew of would assure clients that the land was freehold when it could only be leasehold. If the client was aware that leases of thirty years were all they could legally have they were assured of a thirty year extension which itself was proglamatic never having been tested in court. It was mostly newcomers to paradise that fell into this trap

6 minutes ago, john smith said:

When living on Samui people that I knew or new of bought land in two ways either in the name of their Thai wife/ girlfriend or by using a list of fellow owners( Thai) provided by the lawyer who was arranging the sale. This was completely normal and done throughout the Island. It was mostly newcomers to the Island who fell into the nominee trap. One firm that I knew of would assure clients that the land was freehold when it could only be leasehold. If the client was aware that leases of thirty years were all they could legally have they were assured of a thirty year extension which itself was proglamatic never having been tested in court. It was mostly newcomers to paradise that fell into this trap

I think the worst con was the 30+30+30 years, meaning 90 total, used by developers, particularly in early noughties. It was widely used..I...It was a very successful tactic used by lawyers and developers and to many would be purchasers, appeared credible. It was widely discredited eventually, thank goodness.

Many of those so called (90 year) leases will be coming up for renewal in a few years and I can't see any land owner being asked by a judge if he would care to extend another 30 years for free, to reply, 'no problem'........