Thailand investigates alleged nominee network involving more than 100 Phuket companies

Thai authorities are investigating more than 100 companies in Phuket that Deputy Interior Minister Polphir Suwannachwee said may be connected to an alleged nominee network, with revenue examined from the previous year reportedly exceeding B5 billion.

Polphir said on Friday, 7 August 2026, that officials expanded the investigation after an inspection at a Chabad centre in Patong, Kathu district, on 25 July. The visit included a verbal confrontation with Israeli nationals, he said.

According to Polphir, the network involved Thai shareholders and foreign nationals, including Israelis who had obtained Thai citizenship. The businesses identified so far include car rentals and tour-related services. He said officials suspected some of the tourism operations could involve so-called zero-dollar tours, and that the investigation could be extended to other tourist islands and accommodation businesses in other regions.

Polphir said he had instructed the Department of Provincial Administration and contacted the Ministry of Justice to examine the money trail. Investigators will look into the source of capital held by Thai shareholders and whether it originated from foreign investors. If that is established, he said, the businesses would clearly constitute nominee arrangements.

He also said officials had found education-related businesses allegedly acting as nominees for Canadian nationals. The investigation would continue until authorities identified the people involved, he said, adding that foreigners who operated illegally or had obtained business registrations unlawfully would face legal action.

Polphir further ordered a review of the documents and procedures used by some foreign nationals to obtain Thai citizenship. He said authorities would examine whether applicants had previously acquired another nationality or used citizenship changes to facilitate applications or business operations in Thailand.