Koh Samui nominee crackdown targets 60 companies

Thai authorities have launched the seventh phase of a crackdown on alleged foreign nominee business networks on Koh Samui, opening 60 cases against 88 suspects. The investigation links the target companies to land and buildings worth around 1.2 billion baht.

More than 300 officers joined the operation on the 15 August, led by Deputy Interior Minister Phlaphir Suwanchawee, Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Samran Nuanma and acting Provincial Police Region 8 commissioner Pol Lt Gen Surapong Thanomjit.

The operation involved police, the Surat Thani governor, Department of Business Development and DSI officers. It forms part of the so-called Koh Phangan Model, aimed at foreign businesses alleged to use Thai shareholders to hold assets or operate unlawfully.

Companies, land and arrest warrants

Officials said they reviewed all 12,906 registered companies on Koh Samui. Of those, 8,254 had foreign shareholders and 875 showed possible nominee characteristics.

A deeper screening identified 60 suspect companies holding 37 land plots and structures covering 31 rai, two ngan and 36.3 square wah. The assets were valued at about 1.2 billion baht.

Koh Samui Provincial Court approved 37 search warrants. Authorities said 62 of the 88 suspects were foreign nationals, while 26 were Thai. Police arrested 14 people under warrants: four Chinese nationals, four British nationals, and one each from Italy, France, the Netherlands, Austria, the Philippines and the United States.

Villa, nursery and visa allegations

Five corporate networks were targeted. The Gulp-Tree group, described as an Israeli network of 19 companies, was accused of using layered company structures and Thai nominees to operate an unlicensed nursery, as well as buying, developing, selling and renting luxury villas to foreign customers.

The four-company Hole-Sea group, described as a German network, was alleged to have developed luxury villas on steep hillsides that may exceed legal limits. Officials said it may have used improper building permits and sold villas through share transfers in nominee companies, avoiding land-transfer tax and corporate income tax.

Two other networks were accused of establishing companies for foreigners seeking work permits or one-year business visas, despite registration information that allegedly conflicted with genuine investment or no real business activity.

One two-company case followed information from the French Embassy concerning an alleged investment fraud involving a cannabis farm and losses of more than 21 million baht. Police said French victims' money was allegedly used through Thai nominees to buy land and build a luxury hotel with a pool and tennis court. The property was advertised for daily stays at 11,000 to 17,000 baht per night, but officials said no hotel licence was found.

Wider tourist-area campaign

Pol Gen Samran said the six earlier phases examined 238 companies and 272 land plots covering more than 184 rai, with land and buildings valued at about 2.839 billion baht. A total of 178 arrest warrants had been issued.

Authorities said checks will continue in Surat Thani, Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Chonburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan, and may expand nationwide.

Pictures courtesy of Manager Online

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15 August 2026

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