Deputy Interior Minister Pol Peer Suwannachavee visited Po Island in Ko Lanta district, Krabi province, on July 24, 2025, to oversee the crackdown on a foreign nominee land-holding scheme. An investigation by Krabi Provincial Police identified a single foreigner who established multiple companies as a vehicle to disguise the ownership of Thai land. The three companies are clearly controlled by the same individual, despite appearing on paper to be separate Thai-registered entities.

The scheme employed a sophisticated structure rather than simple proxy shareholding. Multiple companies were created, and they held shares in each other in circular arrangements, making the registered shareholding structure appear to be Thai-owned. In reality, a single foreigner was the true controller, investor, manager, and beneficial owner. Initially, several Thai nationals held small shareholdings to meet legal requirements, but their roles were gradually phased out and replaced entirely by subsidiary company ownership. Investigation found that all three companies operated from the same office, shared the same location, moved offices on the same day, had identical key decision-makers, reported to a single management center, and engaged in stock transfers within the network over many years. While registered direct shareholding did not exceed 49 percent, calculations including indirect holdings through subsidiary companies revealed that the foreigner maintained complete and unqualified control and ownership of the companies.

The network held substantial land in Ko Lanta district totaling 22 plots covering more than 126 rai, with a combined market value exceeding 2 billion baht based on online sale advertisements. The companies actively marketed the properties for profit, constituting a land-trading business, which is prohibited for foreigners under the Foreign Business Act.

Investigation confirmed all 22 plots covering 126 rai, 1 ngan, and 29.7 square wah, with a total market value from advertised sales exceeding 2 billion baht. Authorities have gathered sufficient evidence to prosecute under the Land Code and the Foreign Business Act. Police Region 8 will pursue four key courses of action: First, prosecute all individuals and juristic persons involved, including anyone who assisted or concealed the violations. Second, coordinate with the Krabi Governor and relevant agencies to enforce the Land Code and order the sale of illegally acquired land, proceeding to forced sale if not resolved within the legal timeframe. Third, expand investigation to all property, companies, and persons linked to the network across Krabi, Phuket, and other areas in Police Region 8 to prevent asset transfers or restructuring. Fourth, pursue additional legal remedies to address the full scope of violations.

Police arrested 48-year-old Prawit on July 24 after he allegedly snatched a black Chanel handbag worth over 100,000 baht from an Italian female tourist in the Soi Vanit 2 area of Bangkok's Talat Noi District. Officers from Phlabphla Chai 2 Station, acting on a public tip on July 23, pursued and captured the suspect with assistance from alert citizens. The stolen handbag was recovered. Prawit confessed to the theft, saying he committed the crime because he had no money and no job. He fled toward Soi Vanit 2 after the incident but was quickly apprehended by police and Good Samaritans working together.

The Phuket Express -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Phuket – Phuket authorities are pressing forward with a sweeping campaign against unlawful land holdings by foreign investors, sending 39 cases to police investigators and examining an additional 317 suspected violations. Governor Chotnarin Kedsom, chairing the second provincial police committee meeting of 2026, confirmed that the province is enforcing the Interior Ministry’s urgent directive to […] Phuket Files 39 Foreign Land Cases, Probes 317 More -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

A controversy has emerged surrounding the death of a 5-day-old infant in the pediatric ICU at Ang Thong Hospital, with a key turning point being the parents' decision not to cremate their child after a nurse called them repeatedly every 5 to 10 minutes asking if they had done so. Police are now preparing to question the nurse involved.

On July 24, 2026, foundation chair Paveena Hongsukul accompanied the grieving parents—a 40-year-old father and 36-year-old mother who had lost their newborn five days after birth—to meet with Deputy Commander Phakaphumi Phoolsiripoke, Deputy Commander Mongkol Onkaew, Deputy Commander Singlampong Pothsuea, and Police Captain Kantaphan Thanadhippinskul to follow up on the case and request CCTV footage from around the pediatric ICU.

Deputy Commander Phakaphumi revealed that investigators from Muang Ang Thong and Samko police stations reviewed surrounding CCTV footage and found images of people entering and leaving the area, including footage of the child's parents during the relevant time period. However, the hospital's legal team stated that such footage could only be released to investigators, as sharing it with other parties might violate Thailand's Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).

Regarding the parents' claim of receiving inconsistent information about the cause of death, police advised them to file a formal complaint at Samko Police Station to proceed through legal channels.

The child's mother stated that after her infant died, a nurse repeatedly called every 5 to 10 minutes asking whether they had cremated the child, which aroused her suspicion and prompted them to postpone the cremation and file a complaint with the foundation.

Deputy Commander Phakaphumi acknowledged this as a discrepancy and said the nurse in question will be called in for questioning. However, while the parents insist there was CCTV inside the pediatric ICU room, police inspection found no camera installation there. To clarify the facts, investigators accompanied the parents to point out where they claimed cameras had been installed, as physical traces or leftover equipment would likely remain if they had ever been mounted.

Free admission allows visitors to view diverse exotic animal species at the G.E.B.I.- The Grand Exotic Pet exhibition, open only until Sunday, July 26. Siam Paragon, in collaboration with the National Alternative Thai Agriculturist Trade Association (NATA), is hosting the G.E.B.I.- The Grand Exotic Pet & Ball Python International 2026—an international exotic pet festival running through July 26, 2026 at NEX Hall, 5th Floor, Siam Paragon. The event aims to advance learning and knowledge exchange about exotic animals while promoting responsible pet ownership, proper animal health care, and biodiversity conservation through the participation of experts, breeders, and enthusiasts from both Thailand and overseas under the concept of "Living Art."

Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Surawut Nueang Chamlong served as chairman of the opening ceremony, alongside State Veterinarian Somchuan Rattanmangklanon, Director-General of the Department of Livestock. They toured exhibits and activities featuring knowledge about exotic animals from specialists, along with displays of diverse exotic species including ferrets, capuchin monkeys, ball python snakes, Oriental Shorthair cats, balloon molly fish, meerkats, and beautiful animals from many countries. Visitors can also meet networks of breeders and experts from Thailand and abroad who share experiences and exchange knowledge about exotic pet ownership, as well as comprehensive products, food, and equipment.

The event includes highlight activities such as the Asia-level Ball Python Championship competition, panel discussions, and opportunities to meet and talk with breeders and experts from various countries. A special service for animal lovers is free pet health screening by a team of veterinarians from Khlong Luang Animal Hospital to promote proper pet health care. The event also features family-friendly activities that give children, youth, and interested parties the chance to learn about and interact creatively with exotic animals through hands-on experience.

G.E.B.I. 2026 marks an important milestone for Thailand's exotic animal industry, positioning the event as an international-level platform for learning and networking among experts, breeders, and animal lovers from many countries. The goal is to collectively promote responsible exotic pet ownership standards and foster understanding of conservation, biodiversity, and sustainable development approaches for the exotic pet industry. Experience this international-level gathering combining knowledge, nature's wonders, and insights from diverse experts at G.E.B.I.- The Grand Exotic Pet & Ball Python International 2026, running through July 26, 2026 at NEX Hall, 5th Floor, Siam Paragon. Admission is free. For more details, visit https://www.siamparagon.co.th and follow SiamParagon on social media or Facebook: GEBI.