Authorities raid Pattaya for foreign nominee networks

Khaosod•Politics•5d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai authorities conducted raids at three locations in Pattaya to crack down on nominee networks holding land and businesses for foreigners.

•The operation took place on August 21, 2026, in Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.
•Deputy Minister of Interior Worasit Liangprasit and Minister of Justice Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruttapon Naowarat led the joint operation.
•The raids targeted networks using Thai nationals, specifically law firm employees, as nominees for foreign owners.
•Evidence including computers and documents was seized from locations such as Shilat Avenue Pattaya.

Overview

•On August 21, 2026, Worasit Liangprasit and Ruttapon Naowarat led a joint force to conduct searches at three locations in Pattaya.
•The operation integrated forces from the Department of Provincial Administration, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), and the Royal Thai Police.
•The raids were conducted based on court warrants regarding violations of the Foreign Business Act 1999.
•The operation is an expansion of previous investigations in Koh Phangan, Koh Samui in Surat Thani Province, and Phuket Province.
•Authorities inspected Shilat Avenue Pattaya, where it was found that employees of an international law firm were listed as company founders.
•Officers seized and impounded computer equipment and documents for forensic examination.
•Worasit Liangprasit stated the operation follows the policy of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul to suppress illegal businesses.
•The Ministry of Interior will work closely with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to expand the investigation to all involved parties.

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Key Entities

Person

Worasit Liangprasit(วรศิษฎ์ เลียงประสิทธิ์)

Deputy Minister of Interior who led the operation in Pattaya.

Ruttapon Naowarat(รุทธพล เนาวรัตน์)

Minister of Justice and Police Lieutenant General who led the operation in Pattaya.

Witsanu Chimtrakul(วิษณุ ฉิมตระกูล)

Deputy Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation who joined the operation.

Narit Niramaiwong(นริศ นิรามัยวงศ์)

Governor of Chonburi Province who participated in the operation.

Isara Charoenchasri(อิสรา เจริญชาศรี)

Deputy Governor of Chonburi Province who participated in the operation.

Ruanglak Ruangyamii(เรืองลักษณ์ เรืองยังมี)

Director of the Office of the Volunteer Defense Corps who participated in the operation.

Pongphan Wongmanithet(พงศ์พันธ์ วงษ์มณีเทศ)

Commander of Chonburi Provincial Police who participated in the operation.

Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️

Prime Minister and Minister of Interior who established the policy to suppress illegal businesses.

Organization

Department of Provincial Administration(กรมการปกครอง)ℹ️

The agency whose special operations unit participated in the raids.

Department of Special Investigation(กรมสอบสวนคดีพิเศษ)ℹ️

The agency, also known as DSI, that integrated forces for the operation.

Royal Thai Police(สำนักงานตำรวจแห่งชาติ)ℹ️

The police force that integrated with other agencies for the operation.

Shilat Avenue Pattaya(โรงแรมชิลาด อเวนิว พัทยา)

A legal entity and hotel location that was inspected during the operation.

KT International Law Office(สำนักงานกฎหมายสากล เคทีฯ)

The law firm hired to register companies and whose employees were allegedly used as nominees.

Place

Pattaya(เมืองพัทยา)ℹ️

The target area for the search operations in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.

Koh Phangan(เกาะพะงัน)ℹ️

A location in Surat Thani Province where previous investigations took place.

Koh Samui(เกาะสมุย)ℹ️

A location in Surat Thani Province where previous investigations took place.

Surat Thani(สุราษฎร์ธานี)ℹ️

The province where Koh Phangan and Koh Samui are located.

Phuket(ภูเก็ต)ℹ️

A province where previous investigations were conducted before the Pattaya operation.

Law

Foreign Business Act 1999(พระราชบัญญัติการประกอบธุรกิจของคนต่างด้าว พ.ศ. 2542)

The law under which the court warrants for the searches were issued.