Senate Heated Over Foreign Nominee Land Seizures: Pleum Slams 'Shameless Capital', Urges Government Action
Thai senators debated foreign land ownership through nominees, warning of threats to national sovereignty as Russian, Chinese, and Israeli communities establish closed settlements across the country. Lawmakers urged the government to tighte
On May 11, 2025, the Senate met under the chairmanship of Deputy Senate President General Kriengkrai Sriraksh to discuss a motion on the problem of foreigners holding land through nominee representatives in local communities. Senator Nopodol Pringsukul, who proposed the motion, warned that this threatens Thailand's economic sovereignty and long-term national security, calling for fair and equal law enforcement to protect national interests.
Senator Ajchrapan Hommros supported the motion, noting that while Thailand has traditionally welcomed foreigners, the current situation has evolved into a "state within a state" phenomenon. She cited examples including Jewish communities on Phang Nga's Koh Pangan—which has become a "second Tel Aviv"—Russian settlements in Phuket, and Chinese networks in Khao Yai and Rayong. These foreign groups establish closed businesses using Thai nominees as fronts, with profits never reaching Thai workers. Some have purchased entire residential projects, and recent incidents include a Chinese individual in Chon Buri caught with an arms cache, raising concerns about foreign military connections.
Ajchrapan outlined three urgent government actions: reviewing the 99-year foreign land lease policy, tightening visa measures, and conducting thorough security inspections of all foreign-related operations involving children, youth, foundations, orphanages, and schools to prevent these from becoming covers for closed communities.
Senator Pleum Wongsuwan spoke passionately about why other countries face fewer nominee problems—their state systems are stronger with genuine oversight mechanisms. Thailand operates in silos across ministries, each holding separate data and authority, creating what she called "silo-style bureaucracy." She contended that foreigners infiltrate local businesses silently, turning Thai workers into employees of foreign capital. Pleum proposed consolidating 7-8 agencies into a single command center with unified information sharing to truly identify real owners and prevent Thai nominees from being used as mere fronts for foreign capital.
