Thailand targets nominee businesses in tourist areas under new crime measures
The Thai government has announced measures covering nationality fraud, nominee businesses, illegal firearms and narcotics, with stricter enforcement planned in tourist areas including Phuket.
Thailand’s government has announced three measures to combat emerging forms of crime, including fraudulent claims to Thai nationality, illegal nominee businesses and the trade in firearms and narcotics, with particular attention to tourist areas such as Phuket.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul outlined the measures on 25 August at a Government House press conference titled “Suppression of New Forms of Crime by Administrative Officials in Cooperation with Partner Networks”. Officials from the Department of Provincial Administration, Royal Thai Police, Anti-Money Laundering Office and Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission also attended.
The government said it would close loopholes in the civil registration system, investigate financial trails linked to nationality fraud and pursue those behind the offences. Authorities will also take action against nominee businesses while reviewing approval and licensing procedures for legitimate operators.
Measures against illegal firearms and narcotics will include controls at source, tighter licensing, inspections of shops and shooting ranges, and checkpoints and interception points in local areas.
Anutin said enforcement should follow the principle, “Set names aside, focus on conduct”, with evidence taking priority over an offender’s influence or seniority. He said technology would be used to trace criminal activity, seize and freeze assets, and allow proceeds from auctions to be distributed to people who had been defrauded.
