Anutin sharpens Thailand’s foreign nominee crackdown as risky registrations collapse by 81.77%. More than ฿20 billion is frozen while thousands of companies, condos and land plots come under scrutiny.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s government has put hard numbers behind a widening crackdown on foreign nominee businesses, illegal landholding and suspect financial networks. High-risk company registrations have plunged 81.77%, while AMLO has seized or frozen assets worth more than ฿20 billion. Meanwhile, around 14,000 companies and thousands of land plots face scrutiny across Thailand. The drive now links corporate records, land ownership, immigration and money trails, while deportation orders and Israeli-linked investigations add fresh political pressure. At the same time, veteran protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul has returned to Bangkok’s streets, pushing foreign influence and nominee ownership into an increasingly volatile national debate.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s government on Thursday unveiled major results from its widening crackdown on foreign nominee businesses. High-risk company registrations have fallen 81.77%, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. In parallel, more than ฿20 billion in assets have been seized or frozen in a major financial investigation.
Government spokesman Ekkapop Pienpises announced the figures on September 10. Notably, his statement came amid renewed demands for tougher action against illegal foreign businesses. It also coincided with veteran street protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul launching a new movement in Bangkok.
On Thursday, Sondhi led hundreds of protesters outside the Israeli Embassy. His campaign has focused heavily on foreign influence and misconduct by foreign nationals. Nominee businesses and foreign access to Thai land have also become prominent issues. In response, the government pointed to an enforcement drive already operating nationwide.
Nominee registrations plunge 81.77% as AMLO freezes assets and government widens business crackdown
The Department of Business Development reported some of the strongest figures. In August 2025, officials recorded 894 company registrations carrying high nominee risks. By August 2026, that number had plunged to 163. As a result, registrations in that category fell 81.77% within one year.
Separately, the Anti-Money Laundering Office has widened a major financial investigation. AMLO ordered another 34 assets seized or frozen. Together, those assets are worth approximately ฿8.269 billion. They are connected with the Yim Liak and Ben Smith network case.
Following that decision, AMLO has now seized or frozen 102 assets in the investigation. Their combined value stands at approximately ฿20.392 billion. The government described the case as part of its crackdown on suspicious finance and transnational crime.
On another front, investigators are examining suspected nominee structures across Bangkok and major tourist provinces. Anutin has ordered decisive action against people exploiting Thai ownership restrictions. His instructions also cover foreigners operating businesses illegally.
At the same time, the government has drawn a line between illegal operations and legitimate foreign investment. “The government affirms its commitment to welcoming legitimate investments, shutting down illegal businesses, and promoting legal foreign investors to conduct business and contribute to the Thai economy.”
Anutin expands inherited nominee crackdown after taking office as tourist provinces face closer scrutiny
Thursday’s figures followed almost a year of escalating enforcement under Anutin. He was elected Thailand’s 32nd prime minister by the House on September 5, 2025. Anutin secured 311 votes against 152 for Pheu Thai candidate Chaikasem Nitisiri. Two days later, the royal command formally appointed him prime minister.
He succeeded Paetongtarn Shinawatra following her removal from office by the Constitutional Court. Crucially, Anutin retained the powerful Interior Ministry portfolio. That placed him directly over a ministry central to provincial government and land administration.
Thailand’s nominee problem long predates Anutin. Indeed, the Department of Business Development and police pursued suspect nominee companies before he took office. A nationwide enforcement campaign had operated since November 2024 under the previous Pheu Thai-led government.
After September 2025, however, the campaign became wider and more intensive. Officials moved beyond conventional corporate registration checks. Instead, investigations increasingly covered land, immigration, illegal employment and effective foreign control of Thai businesses.
Tourist provinces quickly became major targets. In particular, Phuket, Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan faced intensive scrutiny. All three have large foreign tourism, property and business sectors. Accordingly, investigators began looking beyond names written on company registration documents.
Interior Ministry takes lead as officials trace nominee funding, land ownership and business control
Officials examined corporate ownership, Thai shareholders, land holdings and investment funding. As part of this, lawyers and accountants suspected of facilitating nominee arrangements also faced scrutiny. Investigators increasingly sought to establish who provided the money and controlled each business.
By late 2025, immigration checks were being combined with corporate and property investigations. Meanwhile, police widened operations in areas containing substantial foreign investment. The campaign was no longer focused solely on individual suspect companies.
A major institutional change followed on March 17, 2026. The Cabinet assigned the Interior Ministry a leading role in tackling illegal foreign business control. Specifically, the government identified foreigners using Thai nominees to acquire land, property and businesses.
The targeted sectors were extensive. Hotels and other accommodation businesses were included. Beyond that, hospitals, private educational institutions, restaurants and service businesses came under scrutiny. The government also connected the operation with foreign groups involved in criminal activity.
Officials additionally raised concerns about Thailand being used as a base for offences. Consequently, provincial government structures became more deeply involved. Business registration, land ownership, immigration and local licensing were increasingly examined together.
Anutin presses police and land officials as lawyers, accountants and suspect ownership face checks
The pressure intensified again during May. By then, Anutin was personally pressing senior police commanders for stronger enforcement. At one meeting lasting about two and a half hours, he demanded tougher action against suspected foreign networks.
Phuket and Koh Pha Ngan received particular attention. Moreover, Anutin demanded action against illegal foreign control of Thai land. Visa controls and immigration screening also formed part of the discussions.
The government then turned towards people suspected of constructing nominee arrangements. On May 12, officials disclosed concerns involving some lawyers and accountants. They were suspected of helping establish structures designed to evade foreign ownership restrictions.
Four days later, Anutin ordered another tightening. This time, the Department of Lands was instructed to strengthen checks nationwide. Land officials were told to investigate funding behind transactions raising concerns.
Under the tougher approach, officials could examine income, occupations and financial standing. Companies showing unusual capital or ownership changes also faced scrutiny. Likewise, sudden shareholder changes could trigger deeper examination.
Land offices were ordered to review foreign-linked companies regularly. They were then required to report their findings to the Department of Lands. Where illegal nominee ownership was established, proceedings could target several parties.
Land enforcement widens across southern provinces as officials scrutinise shareholders after registration
Those parties could include companies, foreign investors and participating Thai shareholders. More significantly, illegally acquired land could ultimately be ordered sold. The crackdown had moved directly from company records into Thailand’s land registration system.
Enforcement widened geographically during June and July. Police conducted coordinated searches across Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga. Hotels, restaurants, tour operators and car-rental businesses were among those inspected.
Again, investigators sought evidence of Thai shareholders concealing effective foreign control. Police said the operations followed instructions from Anutin and national police chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet. By this stage, multiple departments and police commands were working on the same problem.
Another major change followed on August 1. The Department of Business Development strengthened scrutiny after companies had already been registered. Previously, much attention focused on ownership structures at establishment.
Under the revised system, officials began examining later changes involving shareholders and directors. This allowed investigators to identify ownership changes made after companies passed their original registration checks.
Government agencies link company, financial and land records as cross-agency nominee crackdown intensifies
The change closed another area requiring scrutiny. A company could begin with one ownership structure and later alter its shareholders. Therefore, officials increasingly examined what happened after registration.
In tandem, government agencies began connecting information stored in separate databases. Company registrations could be compared with shareholder details. Financial statements and accounting information could then be examined alongside those records.
Land ownership information added another layer. Where evidence justified further action, police could begin criminal investigations. Likewise, the DSI and AMLO could trace financial flows and wider corporate connections.
By September, the campaign had become a substantial cross-agency operation. On September 4, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun met Deputy Interior Minister Polpeera Suwannachawi. Senior officials from the principal departments also attended.
Afterwards, three departments agreed to integrate and continually update their information. They were the Department of Business Development, Department of Provincial Administration and Department of Lands.
DBD screening identifies 36,277 foreign-invested companies holding more than 305,000 Thai land plots
The DBD supplies company registrations, shareholder information and financial statements. The Department of Lands holds property ownership records. Taken together, investigators can compare corporate structures directly against land holdings.
They can also examine whether Thai shareholders possessed sufficient financial resources for their stated investments. That allows officials to compare claimed ownership with income, financial standing and investment funding.
The scale is substantial. The DBD has analysed information involving 125,622 companies under its supervision. From that data, officials identified 36,277 companies with foreign investment holding Thai land.
Together, those companies held 305,838 land plots. Their holdings covered 1,064,265.38 rai. Elsewhere, another significant concentration emerged in Thailand’s condominium market.
A total of 7,082 foreign-linked companies held 76,840 condominium units. Combined, those properties covered more than 4.1 million square metres. Foreign participation in a Thai company, however, does not itself establish nominee ownership.
Investigators narrow focus to 14,000 suspect companies as Koh Pha Ngan landholding cases come under review
Therefore, the 36,277 companies have not been declared illegal. Rather, the records provide investigators with a large pool for further screening. A considerably narrower group is already facing more intensive examination.
Approximately 14,000 companies are under investigation over suspected nominee arrangements. Furthermore, those cases involve about 5,800 land plots. Their combined value is around ฿60 billion.
More than 1,500 companies have also been identified in connection with illegal landholding. Accordingly, provincial governors have been pressed to proceed against breaches within their jurisdictions. Corporate, property and financial records are increasingly being examined together.
Thursday’s statement also revealed fresh details from Koh Pha Ngan. Investigators identified 112 legal entities requiring further investigation. The government said their foreign shareholder proportions exceeded legal limits.
Together, those entities own 124 land plots. The land covers approximately 86 rai, three ngan and 42.4 square wah. Of these cases, 104 were newly discovered.
Courts decide eight Koh Pha Ngan cases as Huai Khwang inspections widen into ownership and finance probes
Eight cases have already been decided by the courts. Eight entities have since sold land following proceedings. Those sales involved nine plots. Legal action involving other entities remains underway.
Bangkok has become another front. An integrated operation recently targeted businesses in Huai Khwang. Several government agencies participated in the inspections.
They included the Department of Provincial Administration and the Immigration Bureau. The Department of Business Development also joined the operation. In addition, the Department of Employment and the Department of Special Investigation participated.
Officials inspected hotels and other establishments. Initial findings showed some establishments and hotels lacked required licences. Inspectors also identified possible problems involving building construction or modifications.
Other cases raised concerns about possible Thai nominee shareholders. Accordingly, officials ordered expanded investigations. Investigators will trace shareholder structures, financial transactions, land ownership and connected parties.
The Huai Khwang operation demonstrates the wider enforcement structure now in place. A hotel inspection can lead directly into company records. From there, investigators can examine land ownership, shareholders and financial transactions.
Immigration and employment checks join crackdown as Anutin signs deportation orders for two foreigners
Immigration and employment records can also become part of the same investigation. Thus, separate regulatory breaches can open broader inquiries into ownership and financing.
The government’s crackdown has also overlapped with enforcement against individual foreign nationals. On Thursday, Ekkapop confirmed action involving Israeli national Yaacov Ohayon. Anutin has signed an Interior Ministry order for his deportation from Thailand.
The government cited violations of Thai law. It also cited conduct affecting public order, morality and public well-being. In a separate case, the deportation order also covered French national Kevin Dimino.
Officials cited threatening, harassing and physically abusive behaviour in Dimino’s case. They also accused him of conduct creating racial and religious divisions. Both cases emerged amid growing scrutiny of foreign conduct on Koh Samui.
Dimino is co-owner of Samui Exotic Park in Mae Nam. Ohayon, meanwhile, was held at Bo Phut Police Station. His case followed an earlier conviction involving threats.
The court imposed a ฿5,000 fine and a suspended 15-day sentence. Even so, both deportation cases formed part of a broader policy applying to foreigners generally.
New deportation rules take effect as government stresses equal enforcement and talks with Israeli envoy
Thailand’s new deportation regulation took effect on August 28. It provides a seven-day appeal period following formal notice. Immigration enforcement therefore became another element of the wider campaign.
The growing Israeli focus has also reached Thailand’s diplomatic relations. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkaew discussed the issue with Israeli Ambassador Alona Fisher-Kamm.
Their talks covered the need for Israeli visitors to respect Thai laws. Thai customs and the country’s way of life were also discussed. Alongside that, both sides addressed tourism cooperation and people-to-people relations.
Ekkapop insisted enforcement would not depend upon nationality. “Thai law is applied equally to all. Everyone in Thailand adheres to Thai law; no nationality receives special privileges. If someone conducts illegal business, commits offences, violates the rights of others, or behaves contrary to public order and morality, there are relevant agencies and police officers to take legal action. The Prime Minister places great importance on creating a transparent economic system, as this will attract foreign investment, especially in high-tech industries. At the same time, the Prime Minister listens to all feedback, concerns, and expressions from all sectors of the public, recognising their vitality, as does the government’s desire to protect the country’s interests.”
Sondhi protest puts foreign conduct in focus as officials pursue wider nationality-neutral crackdown
Thursday also brought a striking development outside Government House. Sondhi Limthongkul led hundreds of protesters outside the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok. The veteran street protest leader accused some Israeli nationals of breaking Thai laws.
He also accused some visitors of disrespecting Thai customs. Yet his emerging campaign reaches beyond individual tourist behaviour. Foreign businesses, property ownership and nominee structures have also entered the campaign.
That puts Sondhi’s movement alongside issues already being pursued by the government. Nevertheless, the Anutin crackdown predates Thursday’s demonstration by almost one year.
Equally important, the government operation was not launched specifically against Israeli nationals. Earlier investigations covered foreign-linked businesses generally. Chinese, Russian, European and other foreign interests have appeared within the wider enforcement drive.
Tourist centres became targets because they contain large concentrations of foreign businesses and property investment. More recently, Israeli-linked cases have attracted increasing public attention. That has been particularly evident on Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Pattaya.
The Department of Special Investigation has also widened an Israeli-linked nominee investigation centred on Pattaya and Chon Buri. The inquiry involves Israeli businessman Maimon David Marsiano and Thai shareholders.
DSI raids widen Israeli-linked nominee probe as Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Phuket businesses face scrutiny
In August, DSI investigators raided three locations connected with the inquiry. They included a law office, condominium company and hotel business. As part of that operation, DSI investigators targeted KT International on August 21.
Investigators are examining suspected nominee funding, company control and investment structures. Beyond Chon Buri, Israeli-linked assets elsewhere in Thailand have also come under scrutiny.
Those areas include Bangkok, Phuket, Pai, Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan. Israeli-linked assets under wider examination have been valued at tens of billions of baht.
Koh Samui has become another major centre of nominee enforcement. Officials reviewed 12,906 companies on the island. Of those, 8,254 had foreign shareholders.
From that group, 875 companies were flagged for closer examination. Sixty cases were identified for action. Those cases involved 37 land plots valued at approximately ฿1.2 billion.
Nearby Koh Tao has also faced enforcement. On August 20, officials checked 110 entities during an operation there. Six foreign diving instructors were arrested during those checks.
Phuket has faced similarly intensive scrutiny. In one August operation, officials examined more than 100 companies. Those businesses generated revenues exceeding ฿5 billion.
Nationwide nominee probe targets thousands of firms as government reports an 81.77% registration fall
Subsequently, 16 companies faced prosecution. Pattaya, meanwhile, became another focus following investigations into suspected foreign nominee networks.
The nationwide property figures show how far the operation has spread. The government identified 36,277 foreign-participation companies holding 305,838 land plots. Those holdings exceeded one million rai.
In a narrower enforcement pool, approximately 14,000 companies face investigation for suspected nominee structures. Those cases involve about 5,800 plots valued around ฿60 billion.
The distinction is important. Foreign investment and foreign shareholding remain legal within Thailand’s statutory framework. Using Thai shareholders to circumvent foreign ownership restrictions is prohibited.
For that reason, investigators are increasingly examining who funds and controls businesses. They are also checking the financial capacity of Thai shareholders appearing in corporate documents.
Thursday consequently produced two highly visible developments around the same broad issue. Outside the Israeli Embassy, Sondhi demanded tougher action against foreign abuses.
Inside government, the Prime Minister’s Office released figures showing the scale of existing enforcement. The numbers were substantial.
High-risk nominee registrations fell from 894 to 163 within twelve months. That represented an 81.77% reduction.
Cross-agency crackdown links company, land and financial records as investigators follow ownership funds
At AMLO, assets seized or frozen in one major network investigation reached approximately ฿20.392 billion. On Koh Pha Ngan, another 112 corporate entities require further investigation.
Nationwide, approximately 14,000 companies are being investigated over suspected nominee arrangements. Those cases involve about 5,800 land plots worth around ฿60 billion.
At the broader screening level, 36,277 foreign-invested companies hold 305,838 land plots. Another 7,082 foreign-linked companies hold 76,840 condominium units.
Taken together, the operation now stretches from company registration desks to provincial land offices. It also reaches immigration checkpoints, police investigations and AMLO financial inquiries.
Within that structure, the DSI traces corporate networks and financial flows. The Department of Employment examines illegal work. The Department of Provincial Administration checks business licences and local operations.
For its part, the Department of Lands examines property ownership and investment funding. The Department of Business Development tracks shareholders, directors and subsequent corporate changes.
The campaign has therefore moved far beyond occasional raids on individual nominee companies. It now involves direct comparisons between corporate, financial and property records.
Government points to nationwide enforcement as nominee investigations and asset seizures accelerate
That change accelerated following Anutin’s accession to power in September 2025. The previous Pheu Thai-led government had already begun nationwide nominee enforcement.
Under Anutin, however, its intensity, geographical reach and agency involvement increased significantly. First, pressure increased across major tourist provinces.
Next, the Interior Ministry received a leading national role. Anutin then personally ordered tougher police and land enforcement.
Soon afterwards, investigators turned towards lawyers and accountants suspected of facilitating nominee structures. Corporate checks were later extended beyond initial company registration.
Most recently, government databases have increasingly been combined. Financial capacity, land ownership and company records can therefore be examined together. Thursday’s announcement presented the latest results from that process. At the same moment, Sondhi’s return to Bangkok’s streets increased public attention on foreign activity.
The government continues to stress two elements of its policy. Legitimate foreign capital remains welcome. Illegal nominee arrangements face intensified investigation.
Government crackdown reaches deeper into finance and property as thousands of companies face scrutiny
Ekkapop said Anutin particularly wanted legitimate investment in high-technology industries. He also said the prime minister was listening to concerns raised by the public.
The government’s enforcement figures show the scale already reached. Thousands of companies are under investigation. Tens of thousands more are contained within broader screening programmes.
Hundreds of thousands of land plots are now contained in databases being cross-checked. Billions of baht in assets have also been seized or frozen.
Summonses and criminal charges considered by DSI in probe into substantial Israeli network in Pattaya
Veteran protest leader and media boss Sondhi begins his street protest campaign at Israel’s Embassy
After almost a year of escalating pressure, Anutin’s crackdown now reaches across numerous government agencies. It covers companies, shareholders, financial records, land, employment and immigration.
Increasingly, investigators are following the money behind Thai shareholders and foreign investors. Company records are being checked against property holdings and financial capacity.
On Thursday, the Prime Minister’s Office put hard figures on that campaign. The 81.77% fall in high-risk registrations was its headline result.
Behind that figure stands a much larger nationwide operation. It targets foreign capital using Thai nominees to circumvent Thailand’s business and land ownership laws.
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Further reading:
Frenchman’s Koh Samui business empire enmeshed in knotty police probe of nominee firms and pot farm
Drive against foreign owned property and business on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan now targets leases
International reservations system used by hotels targeted in latest Koh Phangan swoop by ministers
Anutin visits Koh Phangan as nominee crackdown shows 68% of firms with foreign ownership links
Blitzkrieg on foreign firms and enterprises on Koh Phangan continues with French owned resort busted
Russian-Chinese Koh Phangan alliance to sell drugs to foreigners. Accused entered Thailand illegally
Crackdown aimed at upending foreign business trade moves from Koh Phangan to Phuket. Four arrested
Crackdown to wipe out foreign business abuses and ownership on Koh Phangan & Koh Samui intensifies
