Thai Deputy PM Vows Crackdown on Foreign Nominee Network in Phuket
Thai authorities are cracking down on a foreign nominee network operating across Phuket, with over 100 companies traced to the scheme generating more than 5 billion baht in revenue. Deputy PM Pol Perm vowed to expand the investigation natio
On August 7, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Pol Perm Suvanachaleui spoke at Government House about an operation conducted in Chalong Subdistrict, Kathu District, Phuket to inspect and regulate foreign business operations. Following a confrontation with Israeli nationals on July 25, the investigation expanded to reveal over 100 companies connected to the nominee network, with traced revenues exceeding 5 billion baht from the previous year.
The businesses involved are diverse, ranging from car rental services to tour operations, which authorities suspect include zero-dollar tours. The investigation is expected to expand across tourist islands and accommodations nationwide. Pol Perm instructed the Department of Internal Administration to coordinate with the Ministry of Justice to trace the financial sources.
Further investigation will determine whether Thai shareholders and foreign facilitators are fronting for foreign capital. If confirmed as nominee operations, full legal action will be taken regardless of Thai citizenship status. Authorities also uncovered educational institutions linked to Canadian nationals operating as nominees and will continue expanding the investigation until all violators are removed from the country.
When asked about concerns regarding a repeat of Chinese national cases, Pol Perm stated authorities will examine how these individuals obtained Thai nationality, their supporting documents, and their origins. Some may have acquired intermediate nationalities before applying for Thai citizenship to facilitate the process. He instructed the Department of Internal Administration to review naturalization procedures and documentation standards.
Pol Perm expressed concern that such individuals deliberately cycle through multiple nationalities to exploit Thailand's system—using earlier nationalities to conduct illegal business, then obtaining Thai citizenship to further operations and extract Thai wealth. The Interior Ministry aims to protect genuine Thai entrepreneurs from foreign exploitation. He acknowledged that some of these networks may be entrenched but emphasized the Prime Minister's clear policy: illegal operators and exploitative foreigners must be removed immediately. The investigation requires time to trace financial sources and asset origins before enforcement actions.
