Concerns over foreign nationals using Thai nominees to run businesses and hold property in Pattaya have prompted Chonburi officials to promise tougher enforcement against unlawful investors of any nationality.

The issue was examined by The Truth Investigation TV programme on Thursday, September 10, which questioned whether Thailand had become a base for transnational criminal gangs and foreign mafia networks. It said the problem extended beyond Pattaya and could spread to other major tourist destinations.

The report alleged that some so-called "grey" foreign nationals had entered Thailand to operate businesses and acquire real estate through Thai nominees. It also said some had become influential figures or members of foreign mafia networks, while encroaching on state and forest land.

Claims focus on Pattaya's Indian investment

The programme portrayed Pattaya as a city whose former mix of international visitors, including Western tourists seen as high spenders, had changed significantly. It said Indian tourists now made up many of those seen on the streets.

However, it stressed that Indian visitors themselves were not the problem and said their spending power was no lower than that of European or American tourists.

Its concern was the reported growth of Indian-owned capital in Pattaya's commercial areas, particularly in service and entertainment businesses. The news team visited Pattaya Second Road and Walking Street, where it reported that most restaurants and entertainment venues were owned by Indian businesspeople, with staff soliciting customers on the streets.

Yodchai Puengporn, a Chonburi MP for the People's Party, said Pattaya had been among the first destinations for foreign nominee investment. He described the figures as alarming and said Indian capital was entering many service and entertainment businesses, while investors were buying properties, buildings and homes to cater to visitors from the same country.

Yodchai compared the situation with China's former "zero-dollar tour" model, where tourism spending did not genuinely reach the Thai economy. He also cited pressure on Thai businesses, unlawful migrant employment and large-scale environmental damage.

Officials cite checks and lawful investment

Issara Charoenchasri, deputy governor of Chonburi, acknowledged that Pattaya was driven by foreign investment. He said the province welcomed investors from anywhere in the world provided they operated legally, held work permits and had passed immigration checks.

He estimated Indian capital accounted for about 10% of investment in the area. But he said authorities would take strict, decisive action against any investor found deliberately evading the law or using Thai nominees, not only Indian investors.

Government agencies were continually coordinating inspections of migrant labour and business operations, Issara said, to balance "the economy and security". He urged operators to use Thai law as their principal guide in protecting national and Thai interests.

Yodchai urged the government to address Thailand's tourism image urgently before Vietnam took market share and attracted high-quality tourists. He said Thailand was having to receive several times more visitors to generate the same revenue.

Picture courtesy of The Nation

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12 September 2026

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It is all unlawful, the foreigners are the criminals, but how about the Thai people who are also involved in the business? The law requires as I know at least 3 Thais who have 51% of the shares and the foreigner only 49 %. Why are the foreigners than only prosecuted?

Yes! Please go after Little India in Pattaya! Sort it out, throw em out, and restore Pattaya to Thai standards!

5 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Yes! Please go after Little India in Pattaya! Sort it out, throw em out, and restore Pattaya to Thai standards!

Thai standards?? OMG Thailand is doomed.... No update rules and laws and make the country a friendly welcoming place for everyone who follows the new rules instead of the old and outdated ones. And a working police force, Land department, and Chamber of Commerce and no corruption.... but maybe better the Thai standards indeed as my idea is impossible

They can start on India Street...I mean, Walking Street....Well, over 50% of the street must be Indian businesses....

6 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Thai standards?? OMG Thailand is doomed.... No update rules and laws and make the country a friendly welcoming place for everyone who follows the new rules instead of the old and outdated ones. And a working police force, Land department, and Chamber of Commerce and no corruption.... but maybe better the Thai standards indeed as my idea is impossible

No, look at Thailand 20 years ago. Corruption was there, rules not enforced but it seemed to work.

1 minute ago, Gottfrid said:

No, look at Thailand 20 years ago. Corruption was there, rules not enforced but it seemed to work.

Indeed and there was freedom, many people happy and satisfied, and since the coup It has changed 180 degrees.. But that is not only because of the foreigners... If all bodies did their job, there would be no problems, but the Thai people however would still be unhappy, because the failing Government. Just 1 example.. How much are the daily wages risen compared to the prices in 20 years??

And as you say.. rules were not enforced and it worked, and now with enforcing is it working?? Thailand is out for retirees and tourists at the moment...

Edited 23 hours ago23 hr by ikke1959

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Concerns over foreign nationals using Thai nominees to run businesses and hold property in Pattaya have prompted Chonburi officials to promise tougher enforcement against unlawful investors of any nationality.

Seems kinda strange how all these "nominee" businesses get approval and only later become illegal?

59 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

No, look at Thailand 20 years ago. Corruption was there, rules not enforced but it seemed to work.

If you had the money to pay the bribes then it worked.

A lot of poor people in Thailand had to , and still do have to, wait in long queues for basically any government service because they don’t have the money to pay a bribe to jump the queue.

I’m not sure any of that has changed over the last 20 years, other than a short period after the Prayuth military take over, when a lot of this kind of stuff was in a hiatus. But it didn’t last long.

15 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

A lot of poor people in Thailand had to , and still do have to, wait in long queues for basically any government service because they don’t have the money to pay a bribe to jump the queue.

Yes money grants you privileges, and it's even more blatant in corrupted states.

But you don't necessarily need to be wealthy to jump the queue. Network is as, if not more, efficient.

1 hour ago, Gottfrid said:

Yes! Please go after Little India in Pattaya! Sort it out, throw em out, and restore Pattaya to Thai standards!

4 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

It is all unlawful, the foreigners are the criminals, but how about the Thai people who are also involved in the business? The law requires as I know at least 3 Thais who have 51% of the shares and the foreigner only 49 %. Why are the foreigners than only prosecuted?

Anyone thats been in Thailand knows how the Thai laws work for example if a Thai driver runs a red light and smashes your car it's your fault ..why ? because if you had not been there and back in your country this accident would't have happened. So if the foreigner wasn't doing property deals the locals wouldn't be involved in illegal practices so are innocent.

Just now, wavodavo said:

I reckon there will be some cheap Indian Clubs , bars and curry houses coming up for sale soon.

1 hour ago, Gottfrid said:

Yes! Please go after Little India in Pattaya! Sort it out, throw em out, and restore Pattaya to Thai standards!

1 hour ago, Hotchilli123 said:

Seems kinda strange how all these "nominee" businesses get approval and only later become illegal?

May be people are looking for a resurgence in brown envelope shuffling.

As usual they have already lost to Vietnam and with everything else they are changing, or bringing back to life after 30 years, not many people will come knowing that the laws can change in a day. Why risk it when you can go many other places without the hassle.

While you’re at it pay a visit to MBK. You’d struggle to find a Thai shop. Indians shops everywhere.

3 hours ago, wavodavo said:

Anyone thats been in Thailand knows how the Thai laws work for example if a Thai driver runs a red light and smashes your car it's your fault ..why ? because if you had not been there and back in your country this accident would't have happened. So if the foreigner wasn't doing property deals the locals wouldn't be involved in illegal practices so are innocent.

that is an urban myth.

I have had Thai traffic accidents that weren’t my fault and the damages and insurance claims were assessed on that basis.

The exact process of car accident claims in Thailand still befuddles me somewhat, but in each case everything was dealt with by the insurance company and I suffered no loss. Only once were the cops called and they confirmed I was not at fault. I had to pay tea money for the report, for which I was given a receipt (non official), but I digress.

5 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Indeed and there was freedom, many people happy and satisfied, and since the coup It has changed 180 degrees.. But that is not only because of the foreigners... If all bodies did their job, there would be no problems, but the Thai people however would still be unhappy, because the failing Government. Just 1 example.. How much are the daily wages risen compared to the prices in 20 years??

And as you say.. rules were not enforced and it worked, and now with enforcing is it working?? Thailand is out for retirees and tourists at the moment...

People happy and satisfied?

Do you not recall the street demonstrations and public “sit ins “ that paralyzed parts of Bangkok for months at a time?

Some people were happy, others clearly not.

6 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Thailand is out for retirees and tourists at the moment...

And that comment tells all that you didn´t understand anything.

The reality is that Thailand focus on cleaning up the bad elements. The ones who follow the rules and act in a good and responsible way have nothing fear. if you don´t mean it´s over 50% rotten eggs among foreigners in Thailand, you are wrong!

You've tried the cowboys, now try the Indians.

2 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

And that comment tells all that you didn´t understand anything.

The reality is that Thailand focus on cleaning up the bad elements. The ones who follow the rules and act in a good and responsible way have nothing fear. if you don´t mean it´s over 50% rotten eggs among foreigners in Thailand, you are wrong!

If they were serious about cleaning up the bad elements in Thailand, they would do away with some of the ridiculous visa classes, and they would up the 800k to at least 1.2 million baht, and they would ban visa agents.

Currently, Thailand basically has an open door policy.

24 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

If they were serious about cleaning up the bad elements in Thailand, they would do away with some of the ridiculous visa classes, and they would up the 800k to at least 1.2 million baht, and they would ban visa agents.

Currently, Thailand basically has an open door policy.

It is not an open door policy .. it is the lack of enforcement, corruption, and loopholes to use agents which are not needed if everybody had enough money to stay here.. It is ridiculous to hide behind agents for the difficulty of paperwork.. Extensions are not difficult and could even done more easy as the immigration digitalized the documents.. But there are people on education visa without following classes, or as we could read today pole dancers with who knows what kind of visa, businesses that are not businsesses but where Thais are involved to get money from, but the good tourists and long stayers are being blamed too... you can read here. No need to raise the requirements, There are not much Thais who have a pension of 65k each that is 130k for a couple!!!! It is not 800k for a couple but a person that is too 1,6k...More than an average Thai has.... ,,,

Enforcement of the requirements is a key.. How can businesses exist if the requirements are not legal?? There is a chamber of commerce, and the tax office that should check it... BEFORE starting

Edited 13 hours ago13 hr by ikke1959

20 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

No, look at Thailand 20 years ago. Corruption was there, rules not enforced but it seemed to work.

There were much less Indians, Russians and foreign Muslims !!

Today , Most of them are not respectful of the Thais and their laws. Now everywhere is overflowing with foreigners who think they can do as they like because they are richer than the average Thai. Just look at the place, you can’t move , roads are blocked , even the pavements are blocked. It’s suffocating in its own success.

Bring back the old fashioned expat who fell off his stool now and again and bothered no one.

11 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

If they were serious about cleaning up the bad elements in Thailand, they would do away with some of the ridiculous visa classes, and they would up the 800k to at least 1.2 million baht, and they would ban visa agents.

Currently, Thailand basically has an open door policy.

All the while limiting harmless long stayers ( snowbirds) who have bought countless condos legally so they can play golf every day. Boring as hell , I lived in a Jomtien condo which had practically only golfers ! But harmless, and plenty money to spend on 3 or 4 months winter getaways. I was one them but not boring. Ha.

Also travel is popular, people do go away innocently on a month holidays and plus. Young retirees, students country hopping. Sabaticals. Single men, and women, divorcees, etc.

Then you have all the crazies running round, scams, thieves, rapists, child molesters, foreign motor bike terrorizing the Sois, and best of all the crooked lawyers, administrators, agencies and their clients, robbing lady boys , the nasty drunks and the drugged. Those are the ones Thailand should be eliminating, deporting , refusing entry.

18 hours ago, Hardcastle P said:

May be people are looking for a resurgence in brown envelope shuffling.

Grand slam, and my exact thoughts.

It's like when one bar gets raided/shut down, but every bar around was doing the same.

That magical envelope. I think the Ruskies and Chinese probably stuff their envelopes a little more full than Indians.

22 hours ago, Hotchilli123 said:

Seems kinda strange how all these "nominee" businesses get approval and only later become illegal?

It is called 'moving the goalposts'........it can be quite lucrative.