Crackdown on foreign nominee businesses and land ownership
Thailand is intensifying its nationwide crackdown on foreign nominee businesses and land ownership, with investigations into tens of thousands of companies and land plots, and assets worth over 20 billion baht already seized or frozen. New regulations effective August 1, 2026, require additional documentation for registering companies with foreign investors, and a review of citizenship rules is underway to target nominee networks, meaning foreigners should expect heightened scrutiny of their business structures and property holdings.
How this developed
Four Arrested in 600M Baht Tyre Factory Nominee Probe
Authorities arrested four people during a raid on a Samut Sakhon tyre factory over allegations that Thai nominees were used to operate businesses for a foreign owner. The foreign suspect allegedly used Thai shareholders as nominees and also had his son living under a deceased Thai boy's identity. Officials say the business is worth over 600 million baht and are examining assets for possible seizure.
Thailand reviews citizenship rules over nominee concerns
The Thai government has ordered a review of the citizenship application process and past approvals, targeting foreign nominee networks and loopholes. A special Interior Ministry task force will examine procedures, eligibility criteria, and past grants, with findings used to potentially amend the 1965 Nationality Act. Officials at all levels will receive training to identify suspicious activities.
Thailand tightens crackdown on foreigners using nominees for land
In response to a parliamentary query, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul outlined existing measures and a new inter-agency MOU to combat foreign nominee land holding. Provinces are instructed to investigate suspected cases and can order land divestment if violations are found.
85B baht property probe into 11,000 foreign firms due Sept 30
Thailand is investigating 11,000 companies linked to foreigners that hold approximately 85 billion baht in land and assets. The probe is set to be completed by September 30, potentially leading to further legal action or asset seizures.
Nominee crackdown: registrations down 81.77%, 20B baht seized
The Thai government under PM Anutin has intensified a crackdown on foreign nominee businesses, leading to an 81.77% drop in high-risk registrations and the seizure or freezing of over 20 billion baht in assets. Thousands of companies and land plots are under scrutiny nationwide, with investigations now combining corporate records, land ownership, immigration, and money trails. Expats involved in business or property should review their compliance to avoid legal consequences.
DBD forwards 36,277 foreign-owned entities' data for nominee probe
The Department of Business Development has forwarded details of 36,277 foreign-owned legal entities holding land or property in Thailand to enforcement agencies as part of a crackdown on nominee businesses. Authorities will investigate whether these holdings comply with investment conditions and look for evidence of nominee operations.
Thailand's crackdown on foreigners clashes with OECD bid
Thailand's government is intensifying enforcement of foreign ownership laws, targeting landholdings, small businesses, and restricted occupations, while simultaneously pursuing OECD membership by 2028. The OECD has warned that Thailand's restrictive and fragmented investment rules are tougher than those of any current member, creating uncertainty for investors. Expats should expect tighter scrutiny of nominee structures, work permits, and business classifications.
Thailand nominee crackdown cuts new filings by 75%
Thailand's Ministry of Commerce reports a 75% drop in newly registered high-risk nominee entities, from 561 to 141 in the first 20 days of August vs. the same period in 2025. Officials have tightened pre-registration checks and are reviewing existing companies, forwarding over 50,000 cases for further investigation, with on-site inspections in 13 provinces.
Phuket raids probe 100 firms using naturalised Thai shareholders
Authorities in Phuket are investigating over 100 companies with total revenues of 5 billion baht that allegedly used naturalised Thai citizens as nominee shareholders. This is part of a broader crackdown on 361 firms suspected of circumventing foreign ownership laws.
DSI summons MP Somchart over nominee property probe
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has summoned People's Party MP Somchart Techathavorncharoen to clarify his role in companies suspected of nominee arrangements that may allow foreigners to illegally hold land and condos in Phuket. The case remains under investigation and no charges have been filed.
Thailand expands foreign property crackdown to condos
Thai officials are now scrutinizing 36,277 foreign-linked legal entities, including companies that own condominium units, in an expanding property crackdown. The probe targets nominee arrangements for land and condos across 16 provinces, with offenders facing forced sales, fines up to ฿1 million, and jail up to three years. Expats using company structures to bypass foreign ownership limits should review their holdings.
Proxy probe expands to Northeast; Phuket targets foreign worker births
Interior Ministry expanded its proxy company investigation to Sakon Nakhon, finding 53 suspect firms likely illegally owned by Chinese nationals. Separately, a Phuket official proposed ending government health welfare for migrant workers giving birth, citing strain on public hospitals.
New committee to crack down on illegal foreign goods, businesses
The Cabinet Secretariat has published a regulation establishing a committee to coordinate policy and enforcement against illegal foreign goods and businesses, including nominee structures. The committee will set policy, propose legal amendments, and monitor enforcement. The regulation takes effect August 14, 2026.
13 foreigners arrested in Hua Hin nominee property crackdown
Thirteen foreigners (including Chinese, British, and others) were arrested Monday in Hua Hin for using Thai nominee shareholders to buy properties. The raid, part of a nationwide crackdown, involved 200 officers and warrants for 45 foreigners and 39 Thais. Authorities have seized corporate records and are expanding the investigation.
Phuket nominee companies face financial probe
The Interior Ministry has ordered a financial trail investigation into over 100 Phuket companies suspected of nominee structures, with combined revenue over 5 billion baht. Authorities will also investigate how foreign nationals obtained Thai citizenship. The probe is expected to expand to other tourist destinations.
Foreigners arrested for illegal international schools in Phuket
Phuket police arrested two foreign nationals and two Thai nationals for illegally operating three international schools through nominee arrangements, violating the Foreign Business Act. The arrests followed a broader crackdown and new DBD regulations effective August 1.
Thailand tightens registration rules for foreign-invested firms
Thailand's Central Partnership and Company Registration Office issued Order No. 2/2569, effective August 1, 2026, requiring additional documents for registering or amending partnerships and limited companies with foreign investors or signatory directors. Applicants must now submit a capital investment explanation form with three-month bank statements from Thai partners/shareholders and company accounts to prevent nominee structures. Applications filed before the effective date follow previous rules.
Krabi crackdown targets 1,000 foreign nominee firms
Thailand's crackdown on foreign nominee businesses has extended to Krabi, with over 1,000 companies placed on a hot list for investigation. The Deputy Interior Minister has ordered a money trail probe, signaling heightened scrutiny of foreign-owned or controlled firms doing business in the area.
Thailand may treat nominee ownership as money laundering
Ombudsman President Mr Songsak Saichue proposed classifying nominee shareholding offences as money laundering crimes, which would dramatically increase penalties for foreign investors including AMLO investigations, asset seizures, land confiscations, prison terms and fines of up to ฿3 million. The proposal is not yet government policy but signals a tougher enforcement stance as the crackdown on disguised foreign ownership widens from criminal syndicates to mainstream businesses.
Thailand intensifies crackdown on foreign nominee firms
Thailand's campaign against foreign nominee shareholding has escalated into a full-scale enforcement effort involving 23 agencies, over 14,800 tax probes, 17,556 land investigations, and thousands of police cases. The crackdown has cut high-risk company formations by 65%, but foreign investors warn that widening scrutiny is raising compliance costs and delaying legitimate transactions.
Nominee business probe expands to 200 more Phuket firms
Thailand's Interior Ministry is widening its crackdown on suspected nominee businesses in Phuket, adding about 200 more companies to an investigation that already covers 159 firms, with 39 facing legal action and 34 ordered to cease operations. Authorities are cross-checking business registrations against land ownership records and may target over 400 companies in total.