Thai Interior Ministry finds 361 suspected nominee firms in Phuket crackdown
Thai officials inspecting Phuket businesses said they have found more than 361 companies suspected of nominee ownership, while two hotels checked lacked operating and construction permits.
Thailand's Interior Ministry has identified more than 361 companies in Phuket suspected of operating through nominee arrangements as officials widened inspections into foreign-linked businesses, hotel licensing and construction compliance.
Deputy Interior Minister Polpheer Suwannachwee led the inspection in Phuket after complaints about hotels and other businesses in the province. The operation focused on foreign capital groups, business ownership through nominees, construction permits, operating licenses and compliance with related laws.
The ministry said inspections of two hotels on Saturday morning found that neither had a hotel business license and that neither had obtained construction permission required by law. Polpheer said local administrative officials and relevant agencies had been ordered to investigate further and strictly enforce the law, while coordinating with local government bodies to review additional details.
The inspection team also checked a building in Patong after receiving information that foreigners might be using it as a residence and for some activities. Officials found a restaurant and an area used for religious activities inside the building.
Authorities said most of the people using the premises appeared to be foreigners, but they were unable to inspect the entire property because the person responsible for the building was not present. Phuket provincial and district officials were assigned to examine construction documents, building use and business ownership in detail.
Polpheer said the site showed a pattern of use different from a typical religious venue because access was tightly closed off and entry by outsiders was restricted. He said the inspection was not aimed at religious activity itself, but at ensuring that all businesses and premises comply with Thai law.
The ministry is also preparing to inspect another hotel after receiving information that it may be held through nominee arrangements. It said it has integrated data with the Commerce Ministry to examine shareholder structures and links to foreign capital networks.
Polpheer said the Interior Ministry was acting under a policy to regulate foreign businesses and prevent illegal activity. He said authorities would continue to accept information from the public and would take firm legal action against unlicensed business operations, nominee ownership and illegal construction.
He added that everyone doing business in Thailand must respect and strictly comply with Thai law.
