Commerce Ministry Investigates 49 Companies in Sakon Nakhon for Chinese Nominees
Thai authorities investigating 49 companies in Sakon Nakhon found residents' identities used illegally by Chinese investors, with a local woman collecting documents at cut rates and passing them to foreign owners who registered shell compan
The Ministry of Commerce has discovered irregularities in company registrations across four districts in Sakon Nakhon Province, with companies registered under 100-percent Chinese ownership. Puenpong Nayanaprakan, director-general of the Department of Business Development, reported that the Sakon Nakhon Provincial Commerce Office found 35 companies with Chinese shareholders—33 in Kok Sri Suphan District, one in Mueang District, and one in Phu Phan District. Additionally, 14 companies with 100-percent Thai shareholders were identified in Suwannadan District.
Investigations revealed that a local woman in Kok Sri Suphan District served as an intermediary, collecting copies of household registrations and national ID cards from residents at 500–1,000 baht per document and passing them to Chinese investors, who compensated her at 1,500 baht per item—collecting more than 35 sets of documents in the process. Residents reported they were deceived, told the documents would be used for online business on major platforms, and that most document owners were tenants unaware they were being used. Homeowners claimed they never knew their properties were being registered as limited companies and never consented to their documents being used.
Field inspections by provincial, district, and subdistrict authorities, the provincial commerce office, local police, and the Anti-Money Laundering Office found that registered business addresses showed no business activity whatsoever, no office setup, and no operational activity. All properties remained ordinary residential homes in normal use. Homeowners confirmed they were never informed their properties had been registered as companies and had not authorized anyone to use their household registration documents or ID numbers.
Administrative and commerce officials advised homeowners to file complaints against those involved in misusing their documents, though some homeowners have been reluctant to pursue legal action, possibly suspecting that family members received compensation for providing the documents without their knowledge. Some cases have already resulted in fraud complaints and charges of misappropriating government documents for unlawful benefit.
The Commerce Ministry will conduct deeper investigations to determine whether Thai nationals were used as nominees or shell representatives, with strict enforcement of relevant laws and a comprehensive audit of irregularities in company registrations throughout the province. The department has offered free consultation to affected residents through the Sakon Nakhon Provincial Commerce Office or the Department of Business Development's call center at 1570.
