BANGKOK — Authorities searched 15 locations in Hua Hin on August 10 as part of an investigation into property companies suspected of using Thai nationals as nominee shareholders for foreign investors, with alleged losses exceeding 300 million baht.

The Department of Business Development (DBD) said the operation involved police, immigration officers, tourist police, the Department of Special Investigation, the Internal Security Operations Command and other agencies.

According to DBD director-general Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, several target companies were initially registered as Thai entities with Thai nationals listed as directors holding 100% of shares. Within six months, however, they changed their shareholder structures to add foreign directors alongside Thai directors.

The arrangements allegedly kept foreign shareholdings below 50%, while Thai shareholders — suspected of acting as nominees — retained 51%. This allowed the firms to remain legally classified as Thai entities while operating property-holding and rental businesses.

Investigators said the Thai and foreign shareholders had not previously known one another or had any prior connection, which authorities described as highly unusual in normal business dealings.

Police have issued arrest warrants for 45 foreign nationals and summonses for 39 Thai nationals. Thirteen suspects have so far been arrested in connection with 33 cases.

The DBD said the suspected scheme exploited loopholes allowing foreigners to use Thai nominees to evade restrictions under the Foreign Business Act and acquire or operate property businesses unlawfully.

Since August 1, the department has tightened scrutiny of company registrations and amendments to make nominee arrangements more difficult. It said registrations involving Thai and foreign shareholders where foreign ownership remained below 50% had fallen significantly, with only five such cases recorded since the measures took effect.

"Using Thai nationals as concealed nominees and assisting such offences under the Foreign Business Act carries a penalty of up to three years' imprisonment, a fine of 100,000 to 1 million baht, or both," Poonpong said. "The court may also order the business to cease operating or end an unlawful shareholding arrangement."

Phuket – Authorities in Phuket have made the first arrest under a sweeping nationwide operation aimed at curbing illegal firearms, following orders from Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary Arsit Sumpuntharat announced that since August 7, provincial officials and police have intensified checkpoints and patrols across the country to prevent […]

On August 11, 2025, Sophon Saramun, President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives, led a delegation to a memorial ceremony honoring Saysomphone Phomvihane, President of the National Assembly of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, at the National Convention Center in Vientiane. The ceremony paid tribute to his legacy and contributions.

Following the ceremony, Sophon proceeded to the Presidential Palace in Vientiane to pay respects to President Thongloun Sisoulith of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. This visit represented an important opportunity to reinforce the close relationship between Thailand and Laos.

President Thongloun welcomed the Thai Parliament Chief, characterizing the two nations as neighbors sharing both prosperity and hardship, bound by trust like close family. He emphasized friendly cross-border exchanges and pledged to jointly address shared issues including cybercrime, security, and regional infrastructure goals such as high-speed rail connectivity. Sophon stated that the meeting with President Thongloun extended beyond ceremonial courtesy, demonstrating tangible benefits for Thai-Lao relations in security, economics, and culture, with particular emphasis on strengthening legislative branch cooperation and demonstrating friendship during important occasions for both nations.

Deputy Prime Minister Yotsanan Wongsuwan, also serving as Minister of Higher Education and chair of the Northern flood and drought mitigation committee, has ordered a 24-hour war room to address floods and drought across the North. All relevant agencies are instructed to adopt proactive operational approaches to combat severe weather, including heavy rain, flash floods, flashy streams, and drought in certain areas. The government has directed high-risk provinces to use emergency state funds for immediate disaster relief without allowing administrative procedures to hinder assistance delivery, with priority given to vulnerable populations. For longer-term strategies in drought-threatened areas, the government will expedite water source evaluations, reserve drinking water supplies, and work with farmers to adapt cultivation plans.

Yotsanan previously held a regional committee meeting with representatives from northern provinces responsible for flood and drought response to assess the situation and implement policy directives. Key outcomes include establishing a command and control system, setting up a 24-hour monitoring war room, and implementing close situation tracking. The effort also integrates innovation through partnerships with local universities, temporary shelter centers, and technology such as drones for area surveys, telemetry systems, and warning applications to strengthen evacuation and public assistance efficiency, along with accelerated dredging of major rivers. These policies and guidelines aim to prevent and mitigate flooding and drought in the North.

Currently, the North is experiencing flooding, mudslides, and flashy stream flooding affecting residential areas and agricultural lands in several northern provinces. The northeastern region also faces flooding, particularly in areas bordering the Mekong River where water levels have exceeded banks. The government's introduction of technological innovation to prevent and manage these natural disasters in the North represents a new and challenging approach. Beyond prevention and mitigation, rapid area recovery and rehabilitation are critical to help affected residents return to normal life quickly.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has indicted Chaimongkol Chaiyarab, former governor of Sakon Nakhon Provincial Administrative Organization, and associates for corruption in a 11-million-baht blanket procurement project. NACC Secretary-General Surpong Inthathawaree announced on August 11, 2025, that the commission found probable cause against Chaimongkol for misconduct during his tenure as PAO governor regarding the procurement of insulated blankets in fiscal year 2010 with a budget of 11 million baht.

Investigation revealed that on November 20, 2009, Sakon Nakhon declared a cold-weather emergency across 18 districts and requested blankets to assist victims. Chaimongkol approved the procurement process. Procurement staff submitted price quotes from five community enterprises ranging from 160 to 238 baht per blanket. Staff calculated an average price of 221.40 baht, which Chaimongkol approved for special procurement at 220 baht per blanket for 50,000 units, totaling 11 million baht—despite the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation setting standard prices of 120–160 baht per blanket.

Bids were then collected from nine community enterprises, all quoting identical prices of 220 baht per blanket—60 baht above the government standard. On January 5, 2010, Chaimongkol signed purchase agreements with all nine groups. On January 19, 2010, he authorized payment of the full 11 million baht, resulting in a 3-million-baht loss to the organization.

The NACC determined that Chaimongkol and associates committed criminal offenses under Penal Code sections 151 and 157, with Chaimongkol also violating the Provincial Administrative Organization Act of 1997, section 77. The commission found insufficient evidence that the procurement committee acted criminally and dismissed those charges. However, charges under Penal Code sections 157 and 157 with section 86 have expired, so criminal prosecution is barred under Criminal Procedure Code section 39(6), and the case is dismissed.