Phuket raids target nominee businesses, inspect 3 international schools and net 3 drug suspects
Phuket authorities inspected three international schools in Rawai and Chalong as part of a crackdown on suspected nominee businesses, while separate raids in the Thai Mai community led to three drug arrests and the seizure of 206 methamphetamine pills.
Phuket police and local authorities on Friday launched a coordinated operation against suspected nominee businesses and other illegal activity, inspecting three international schools in Rawai and Chalong and arresting three drug suspects in the Thai Mai community.
The operation began at 3 p.m. under the direction of Phuket Provincial Police commander Maj. Gen. Sinlert Sukhum and Chalong police chief Col. Surasak Jaidee. Officers from Chalong Police Station worked with Phuket immigration police, Mueang Phuket district officials, and the Rawai and Chalong municipalities.
Authorities said the operation followed an urgent government security policy aimed at suppressing foreign business groups accused of using Thai nationals as illegal nominees to hold businesses on their behalf. Officials said the campaign was intended to disrupt illegal business activity and protect the country's economic interests.
Using search warrants issued by the Phuket Provincial Court, officers inspected three international schools in Rawai and Chalong to examine land documents, establishment records and management structures. The checks were intended to determine whether the schools may have been using Thai nationals as nominee shareholders for foreign operators.
Officials also inspected ATV business operators to enforce business standards and prevent illegal capital from entering the tourism sector. At the same time, authorities carried out a crime and contraband sweep in the Thai Mai community.
Police said three suspects were arrested in drug cases and 206 methamphetamine pills were seized, including one lot of 200 pills and another of six pills. Urine tests were also conducted on local residents, and four people were found to have drugs in their system before being sent for treatment under legal procedures.
Later, at 3:30 p.m., Chalong police, tourist police, local administrative officials and Chalong municipal officers visited Soi Yot Saneh to ask elephant camp and adventure activity operators to strictly comply with Thai law and improve safety standards for tourists.
Col. Surasak said the searches were part of an "X-ray" of the area to suppress all forms of wrongdoing, especially nominee businesses and foreign capital operating illegally. He said Chalong police would continue expanding the investigation with relevant agencies to improve transparency and public and tourist confidence.
