UPDATE: DSI arrests foreign suspect in Phuket luxury villa nominee

Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation has arrested a foreign suspect in a nominee-business case linked to a luxury villa rental operation in Phuket, identifying the man only as Mr Ajeed.

The DSI said officers from its Surveillance and Intelligence Centre, working with Immigration Bureau officers, arrested Ajeed at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan at about 12:30 p.m. on July 8 under a Criminal Court warrant issued on April 21.

Investigators allege that Ajeed used Thai nominees to conceal foreign ownership of a business operating luxury pool villas for rent in Phuket, in violation of the Foreign Business Act. According to the DSI, he faces charges of operating a restricted business without permission, using Thai nationals as nominees to evade the law, and knowingly allowing a company to engage in illegal activities in his capacity as a director, partner or authorised representative.

The DSI did not say which country Ajeed is from and did not identify the luxury pool villa project involved. It also made no mention of any Thai nationals who may have helped set up the nominee company.

After being informed of the charges and his legal rights, the suspect was transferred to DSI investigators for further legal action. The detention process was audio and video recorded in line with the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act B.E. 2565.

The case is being investigated as Special Case No. 7/2567 by the DSI’s National Security Division. Authorities said nominee structures used to bypass restrictions on foreign business ownership affect both national security and the economy.

Ajeed is scheduled to be taken to public prosecutors on July 9 for further legal proceedings.

The DSI said the arrest was part of an ongoing crackdown on nominee business structures used by foreigners to illegally control businesses reserved for Thai nationals. The agency said the operation was carried out under orders from DSI Director-General Pol Lt Col Yutthana Praedam and Deputy Director-General Pol Lt Col Chatupol Bongkochmas.