Thailand DSI sends full Villa Andaman nominee property case to prosecutors

Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation has handed the full case files and all 31 suspects in the Villa Andaman nominee property case to prosecutors, advancing a major case tied to alleged illegal foreign-controlled real estate activity in Phuket and Koh Samui.

The DSI said its Security Cases Division has been investigating a network of law firms and consultancy companies in Phuket and Surat Thani accused of using Thai nationals as nominees to establish companies on behalf of foreign investors so they could hold land and operate real estate development businesses in violation of Thai law. The investigation is part of Case No. 7/2027 involving Villa Andaman Co Ltd. and related parties.

Investigators had previously submitted the main case file against Villa Andaman Co Ltd and 31 suspects on April 22, 2026 to the Office of the Attorney General’s Special Cases Division. At that time, files relating to 28 suspects were submitted while three additional suspects remained pending because of criminal background checks.

The DSI said that remaining investigation, involving suspects connected to Firefly (Thailand) Co Ltd, has now been completed. On Monday, May 25, 2026, DSI investigators submitted additional files covering the remaining three suspects, along with two foreign nationals identified only as Mr Symond and Ms Wendy in both personal and representative capacities.

According to the DSI, the expanded investigation stemmed from allegations that Marcus, a British national, and Paul, an American national, jointly used Thai nominees to conceal foreign ownership interests in real estate businesses in violation of Thai law.

All suspects are accused of offences under the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999), including operating businesses without permission as foreigners, using Thai nominees to circumvent restrictions on foreign ownership, and directors being complicit in offences committed by legal entities.

The DSI said the crackdown is part of ongoing efforts to prevent foreigners from exploiting legal loopholes to acquire land or operate restricted businesses in ways that negatively affect the Thai economy and employment opportunities for Thai nationals.

The case is now with prosecutors, who will decide the next steps under criminal procedure. The DSI said further updates would be provided as the case progresses through the public prosecutor’s office.