SURAT THANI — May 13, 2026: Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered an investigation into suspected nominee business arrangements involving foreign investors on Koh Phangan after authorities discovered allegedly illegal luxury pool villas linked to Israeli nationals.

At 14:10 on May 13, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his delegation conducted a field visit to monitor and address issues affecting local residents and businesses in major tourist destinations. The visit focused on the illegal use of Thai nationals as legal fronts (nominees) for foreign-owned businesses and unauthorized encroachment on public beachfront areas.

Anutin inspected a property connected to a company under investigation and held discussions with ministers and local officials in front of a pool villa allegedly constructed without proper permits. Deputy National Police Chief Samran Nuanma reported on the unauthorized construction of villas owned by Israeli nationals, following the policy to dismantle foreign nominee networks on Koh Phangan.

Anutin instructed authorities to verify whether the company's shareholders are indeed foreigners and ordered an examination of the company's financial transactions and fund sources.

Anutin also addressed controversy surrounding a cabinet resolution that was approved to ease procedures for foreign investors in eight business sectors, allowing them to operate without needing a license. He apologized for confusion caused on May 12 by comments from a newly appointed deputy government spokesperson who had suggested foreigners would no longer need licenses to operate businesses in Thailand. Anutin explained that in his eagerness to have the new appointee begin work promptly, he had instructed them to announce this matter immediately.

He reprimanded the Government Spokesperson and noted that each coalition party is already responsible for specific ministries. For example, the Pheu Thai Party oversees the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Labor. Each official should focus on their assigned responsibilities. Anutin sincerely apologized for the error in assigning a Deputy Government Spokesperson to announce such a critical matter.

When asked to clarify whether the resolution marked a move toward full liberalization of foreign business, Anutin explained that the policy was intended only to reduce duplicated administrative procedures. For instance, foreign nationals wishing to operate businesses in Thailand must already obtain permits from the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning, the Department of Industrial Works, or the Ministry of Interior. The new change means they will no longer need to file a redundant application with the Ministry of Commerce. Anutin described this as an initiative by the Minister of Commerce aimed at eliminating unnecessary overlap.

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On May 13, 2025, Police Chief Kittarat Panthapetch assigned Deputy Police Chief Samran Nualma, as director of the Center for Suppressing Transnational Criminals and Illegal Entry, to lead an operation to dismantle the foreign nominee network on Koh Phangan, Surat Thani Province. The task force conducted searches of 243 target companies and identified 27 suspicious nominee enterprises involved in illegal land ownership. Authorities seized 37 land plots totaling 51 rai and 2 ngan, valued at approximately 150 million baht. Two of three suspects were arrested—both Thai nationals charged with assisting and supporting foreign nationals through nominee shareholding; the third suspect, a foreigner, remains at large.

The operation's investigation revealed 3,754 registered businesses on Koh Phangan, with 2,381 having foreign ownership. Key red flags included Thai nationals serving as shareholders and directors in multiple companies, apparent nominee holding patterns, and irregular social security records suggesting no actual employment. Deputy Police Chief Samran ordered intensified investigation into specific cases, including Plubvilla's construction violations and alleged foreign ownership with Thai nominee shareholders. The case will be coordinated with Regional Police Region 8, Surat Thani Provincial Police, and Koh Phangan Police Station, with findings compiled for further prosecution consideration and review of any involved government officials.

SURAT THANI — Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Wednesday vowed to crack down on illegal foreign nominee businesses and public beach encroachment on Ko Phangan, declaring that beaches belong to everyone and cannot be monopolised by hotels or private villas.

Speaking during a visit to Koh Phangan, Anutin said the government was serious about tackling growing problems affecting local residents and tourism operators, particularly the illegal use of Thai nominees by foreigners to operate businesses.

"We welcome foreign tourists who come here to spend money and travel legally, but we cannot accept those who come to take jobs or run businesses illegally. This is our home," he said.

The prime minister also warned against private occupation of public beach areas, saying no hotel or villa owner had the right to claim beachfront land for exclusive use.

"Beaches belong to everyone," Anutin said. "People must not allow anyone to seize public land. We must preserve the environment and keep beaches beautiful and orderly."

He said authorities would introduce zoning measures and work with local agencies, including the Forestry Department and Department of National Parks, to ensure fair use of land without damaging nature.

Anutin said this was his first official visit to Koh Phangan to directly monitor illegal activities affecting local communities. He urged residents to report unlawful activities or behaviour damaging the island without fear.

The government wants Koh Phangan to remain an attractive tourist destination where local people can fairly earn a living and benefit from tourism income, he added.

Officials say foreigners own only 6% of Koh Pha Ngan following locals’ concernsLegacyThe director of Thailand’s Land Department stated that foreign nationals own only six percent of land on Koh Pha Ngan following growing concerns among residents about increasing foreign influence on the island. Concerns intensified in recent years as the number of long-stay foreign residents, particularly Israeli nationals, has increased on Koh Pha Ngan. Some locals fear the island could gradually fall under foreign control as overseas investors purchase land and establish businesses that compete with local operators. Residents also raised concerns about foreigners allegedly operating businesses illegally through Thai nominees. Some locals further accused officials of accepting bribes and providing preferential treatment to foreign investors. The allegations prompted investigations by the Department of Business Development (DBD) and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), which recently expanded crackdowns on nominee-run businesses in major tourist destinations across Thailand. Photo via Matichon According to officials, more than 3,000 foreign-linked businesses on Koh Pha Ngan were found to be operating through Thai nominees. Authorities stated they would continue legal action against businesses violating Thai regulations. Responding to public concern over Koh Pha Ngan foreign land ownership, Land Department director Pornpoj Penpart said investigations into land title documents showed foreigners legally owned only six percent of land on the island. Pornpoj explained that some properties were held through legal entities linked to 1,832 foreign-operated companies. Photo via Matichon Further screening identified 47 companies suspected of using Thai nominees to hold land illegally. Pornpoj stated that legal action was initiated against 12 of those companies this morning, May 13, while investigations into the remaining firms are continuing. He added that if violations are confirmed, authorities would proceed with strict legal penalties against those involved. Pornpoj also stressed that the Land Department has introduced tighter inspection measures in key tourism provinces to prevent illegal foreign ownership and exploitation of Thai resources. He urged the public to rely on verified information and statistical data when discussing the issue in order to avoid creating unnecessary panic within local communities. The story Officials say foreigners own only 6% of Koh Pha Ngan following locals’ concerns as seen on Thaiger News.