Phang Nga Launches Nominee Business Crackdown With 174 Firms Under Scrutiny
Phang Nga authorities have begun a broad enforcement campaign against suspected nominee businesses, placing 174 firms under scrutiny and prioritizing 15 high-risk cases after raids in Takua Thung and Thai Mueang.
Authorities in Phang Nga have launched a crackdown on nominee businesses and foreign-owned enterprises suspected of operating illegally, with 174 firms under scrutiny and 15 high-risk cases prioritized for immediate investigation.
Governor Phairat Phetchayuan and Provincial Police Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Chaikiat Wiriyasatikul led a multi-agency task force involving more than 16 government units in coordinated raids across Takua Thung and Thai Mueang. Officials said the operation followed two months of intelligence gathering, surveillance and evidence collection.
Investigators said they found multiple suspected violations, including unlicensed hotel operations and foreign nationals working without permits. Several offenders were arrested at the scene, while authorities continued examining financial records, shareholder structures and business networks suspected of using nominee arrangements.
In Thai Mueang, officials also detained a foreign executive found working without a valid work permit. Further inquiries into connected enterprises are continuing.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chaikiat said the task force had been systematically building cases against nominee networks, resulting in search and arrest warrants for this operation. He added that more investigations are underway, particularly into businesses accused of exploiting legal loopholes to profit unfairly from Thailand’s economy.
Officials said the campaign targets companies that allegedly use Thai nationals as proxy shareholders or disguise foreign ownership to bypass legal restrictions. Authorities said such practices distort fair competition, reduce opportunities for local entrepreneurs and harm Thai workers’ livelihoods.
The province said it will intensify proactive enforcement, dismantle nominee networks at every level and protect the tourism sector and wider economy for Thai citizens.
