Thailand orders nominee crackdown from Koh Phangan to Phuket's Freedom Beach

The government ordered a nationwide nominee crackdown on May 14, targeting foreign-backed land and business holdings from Koh Phangan to Phuket, where authorities are moving to reclaim public land at Freedom Beach. Officials said the campaign covers more than 11,426 legal entities in tourism areas and focuses on schemes that use Thai nominees to mask foreign control.

The Prime Minister also ordered action against encroachment at Freedom Beach, where influential figures are accused of occupying protected forest land and building villas for foreign renters for more than 20 years.

Investigators trace layered company structures and Phuket land cases

The Department of Business Development said investigators found layered holding-company structures designed to keep Thai shareholding at 51% on paper while foreigners controlled 100% of the business and benefits.

Officials said the fronts included unlicensed language schools and childcare centers, yoga businesses used to acquire land for luxury villas, and community-focused religious and food venues including Chabad House operations. The scrutiny has particularly focused on Israeli and Chinese networks in strategic areas.

At Freedom Beach, more than 200 officers searched 14 locations and seized 37 land title deeds covering about 51 rai with a combined value of more than 150 million baht. Authorities said they are also examining six law offices suspected of helping set up 27 nominee entities.

Police said 23 cases have already been filed covering 63 rai. Officials also cited illegal toll collection of 100 to 300 baht at the beach and ordered tighter immigration checks on long-stay foreigners, with results targeted within three months after Chinese nationals topped detention figures at 539 cases, followed by Myanmar and Cambodia.

Source: https://www.posttoday.com/politics/domestic/742349