Police in Surat Thani will oppose bail for 21 foreign nationals accused of using Thai nominees to illegally hold land and operate businesses on Koh Phangan, with all suspects due to appear before Koh Samui Provincial Court on 25 May.

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Investigators said the arrests followed a two-phase crackdown led by the Royal Thai Police under a task force targeting illegal nominee business structures. Authorities allege the suspects used Thai shareholders as proxies to establish companies and acquire land in violation of Thai law.

The operation was led by Pol Gen Samran Nuanma, Deputy National Police Chief, alongside officers from the Central Investigation Bureau, Provincial Police Region 8, Surat Thani Provincial Police, Immigration Police, Tourist Police and provincial anti-illegal business teams. Phase one on 13 May involved raids on five legal and accounting offices, where documents were seized for further analysis.

Police later expanded the investigation during phase two on 23 May, arresting 21 foreign suspects under warrants issued by Koh Samui Provincial Court. Officers also seized 38 land title deeds worth an estimated 200 million baht for examination.

The suspects include four Israelis, four French nationals, three Russians, two Ukrainians, and one national each from South Africa, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Australia, Turkey, Germany and the Philippines. They face charges linked to making false statements in official documents and unlawfully acquiring land through nominee company arrangements under the Criminal Code and Land Code.

Pol Maj Gen Suwat Suksri, commander of Surat Thani Provincial Police and head of the investigative team, said officers would not grant bail during the investigation stage. He said police were accelerating interviews and evidence gathering before seeking court detention orders on 25 May.

Authorities said investigators are currently handling 97 nominee-related cases. Police expressed confidence they could complete case files and forward recommendations to prosecutors within the required 48-day period.

Investigators are using the SPNi-X programme, developed by Surat Thani Provincial Police narcotics and money laundering investigators, to analyse financial trails and supporting documents. Police said the system helps identify whether Thai shareholders genuinely invested in the companies or were acting on behalf of foreign owners.

The investigation found 32 corporate entities allegedly linked to nominee arrangements, with 45 arrest warrants issued for foreign directors. Police said 22 warrants covering 21 individuals have so far been executed.

Authorities noted that the companies collectively held around 38 rai of land, much of it undeveloped or awaiting construction. One company, FB Propertys Co Ltd, based on Koh Phangan and linked to Israeli operators, allegedly ran a yoga and food business called The Yoga House Koh Phangan while holding eight plots of land covering about 7.5 rai, valued at around 60 million baht excluding buildings.

The Daily News reported that investigators said financial checks indicated the Thai shareholders involved lacked the means to fund the investments themselves, strengthening allegations of illegal nominee ownership structures.

Picture courtesy of Daily News

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 25 May 2026

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Have the lawyers been arrested? seems a massive fix up

29 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Have the lawyers been arrested? seems a massive fix up

That was also my first thought. These company registrations and investment possibilities are promoted by law offices since many years.

2 minutes ago, msbkk said:

That was also my first thought. These company registrations and investment possibilities are promoted by law offices since many years.

Yep, i was talking to my lawyer friend about this Friday night, she reckons they won't touch the lawyers, they have too much power

Great they are cracking down at last on these farangs crooks. They KNEW it was illegal to own land/property.

Yep, i was talking to my lawyer friend about this Friday night, she reckons they won't touch the lawyers, they have too much power

They may have a lot of power, but I'd bet their businesses will dry up once word gets out to foreigners that these arrangements aren't working any more.

Unless, of course, this is just another "rinse and repeat". But even in that case, it'll take years for the stink to subside.

Great they are cracking down at last on these farangs crooks. They KNEW it was illegal to own land/property.

How would they know that if their lawyers told them that it would be fine?

Just now, impulse said:

How would they know that if their lawyers told them that it would be fine?

Anyone with half a brain knows you can not own land/property. They were happy to believe the lawyers because it gave them an easy solution.

4 minutes ago, impulse said:

but I'd bet their businesses will dry up once word gets out to foreigners that these arrangements aren't working any more.

More than that, they can't be trusted, they were illegally setting up companies including accountants

5 minutes ago, impulse said:

How would they know that if their lawyers told them that it would be fine?

Everyone kinda knew it was illegal, I've been saying it for years, people just went along with lawyers and agents saying it's ok, they should be prosecuted too otherwise it just looks like a money grab, which was probably the plan all along

Everyone kinda knew it was illegal, I've been saying it for years, people just went along with lawyers and agents saying it's ok, they should be prosecuted too otherwise it just looks like a money grab, which was probably the plan all along

Everyone who's lived in Thailand for years may know it. But I can't count the number of advertisements I've seen offering to set up Thai businesses for foreigners.

Based on the paltry numbers in the OP, it looks to me more like someone cast greedy eyes on specific businesses. There's probably thousands of illegal nominee based businesses.

The scariest part of the story is that they're denying bail. Which means they're locking people up, and not just closing the businesses and/or forcing them to sell.

Edited May 25May 25 by impulse

33 minutes ago, henryford1958 said:

Great they are cracking down at last on these farangs crooks. They KNEW it was illegal to own land/property.

If Thailand was strictly enforcing their laws since day one, local lawyers, middlemen and officials who are taking juicy money over decades would have replied a straight "No can't do." to any foreign individual inquiring to own land/property. So, who's the crook?

34 minutes ago, impulse said:

The scariest part of the story is that they're denying bail.

That is the good part of the story.

These foreigners are likely to flee.

That is the good part of the story.

These foreigners are likely to flee.

So what? They're accused of operating businesses. Not beating up old ladies.

If they fled, leaving their businesses behind, wouldn't it accomplish the same purpose?

1 hour ago, msbkk said:

That was also my first thought. These company registrations and investment possibilities are promoted by law offices since many years.

Over 20 per my knowledge.

I read somewhere that the authorities are going to continue these operations all over the country.

The hypocrisy ...

... just have a lawyer set it up for you

... Just use an agent

Doesn't show those Thai lawyers in a good light, what about ethics, any way give it a few months and business as usual

How's that lawyers advice, it's done this way all the time, no problem.

Yeah, lawyer will just say oops, just a little misunderstanding, couple hundred thousand baht and we will fix it.

One of biggest scams in Thailand.

Sad for foreigners who want to open a business and seek guidance from a supposed professional.

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Have the lawyers been arrested? seems a massive fix up

Do you know more? Some insider information? Tell us, please 🙏

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

arresting 21 foreign suspects

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

the Thai shareholders involved lacked the means to fund the investments themselves, strengthening allegations of illegal nominee ownership structures.

The saying "It takes two to tango," no arrest warrants for the Thai shareholders if they were aware of illegal foreign investors? If Thai shareholders refused foreign investors as nominees, there would be no illegal foreign suspects to arrest.

Reading between the lines, these are people who have set up businesses in a tourist destination. The average retiree living in Nakhon Nowhere is not being targeted and probably never will be.

How many members here applaud this but use agents themselves to fix their visa extensions? The stamp is real, but obtained through bribes to immigration. I hope the next inspections will take place to scrutinize that system as well.

4 minutes ago, Mr Janneman said:

I hope the next inspections will take place to scrutinize that system as well.

Why would you wish for that..?

The suspects include four Israelis, four French nationals, three Russians, two Ukrainians, and one national each from South Africa, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Australia, Turkey, Germany and the Philippines. They face charges linked to making false statements in official documents and unlawfully acquiring land through nominee company arrangements under the Criminal Code and Land Code.

And not a single Brit involved, 👏👏

9 minutes ago, Off Piste said:

Why would you wish for that..?

because the rules are going to become increasingly strict for people who do everything according to the rules.

1 minute ago, Mr Janneman said:

because the rules are going to become increasingly strict for people who do everything according to the rules.

Can they get any stricter or some officers more frustrating?..........

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Have the lawyers been arrested? seems a massive fix up

In the first phase of the operation, on May 13, investigators searched five law and accountancy firms and seized documents for further investigation.

Pol Maj Gen Suwat said the second phase of the operation expanded on evidence gathered during the searches of the five law offices earlier this month. Investigators identified 32 corporate entities suspected of using Thai nominees and obtained 45 arrest warrants for foreign directors linked to the firms.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3260108/21-foreign-suspects-in-koh-phangan-nominee-probe-in-court-on-monday

39 minutes ago, Mr Janneman said:

How many members here applaud this but use agents themselves to fix their visa extensions? The stamp is real, but obtained through bribes to immigration. I hope the next inspections will take place to scrutinize that system as well.

Tracing any illicit monies received by an Immigration person is difficult as the monies are probably laundered through mule accounts. The real vulnerability in the arrangement is with the agent who says:

Immigration has the right to waive the 800k bank deposit for your retirement extension but will do so only if you pay here in this agent office 15k-25k.

Section 143 Thai Penal code "other person" infraction

Edited May 25May 25 by JerryM

I read somewhere that the authorities are going to continue these operations all over the country.

If I had a baht for every time I've read that since I started working in Thailand in 2011, I'd have almost enough to buy a Starbucks coffee.

Of course, one day they may get (and stay) serious. Maybe this will be that time. But usually, there are so many palms being greased that they back off pretty quickly. And quietly.