Government reports 81.77% drop in nominee businesses

MGR Online•Politics•10d ago

Reader Briefing

The Thai government reports a significant decrease in nominee company registrations and the seizure of over 20 billion baht in assets related to grey capital networks.

•Nominee company registrations dropped by 81.77% in August 2026 compared to August 2025.
•Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) seized assets totaling approximately 20,392 million baht in the Gym Liak-Ben Smith case.
•Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered the deportation of Yaacov Ohayon and Kevin Dimino.
•Integrated operation 'Huai Khwang Integration' was launched on August 9, 2026, to inspect hotels and businesses.

Overview

•The Department of Business Development reported that nominee risk group company registrations decreased from 894 cases in August 2025 to 163 cases in August 2026.
•The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) seized 34 additional items valued at 8,269 million baht, bringing the total seized assets in the Gym Liak-Ben Smith case to 20,392 million baht.
•Authorities inspecting Koh Phangan in Surat Thani province found 112 legal entities with foreign shareholding exceeding legal limits and 124 land plots totaling approximately 86 rai, 3 ngan, and 42.4 square wah.
•On August 9, 2026, the government launched the 'Huai Khwang Integration' operation involving multiple agencies to inspect hotels and businesses for illegal nominee use.
•Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed Ministry of Interior orders to deport Yaacov Ohayon from Israel and Kevin Dimino from France for legal violations.
•Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow discussed legal compliance and tourism cooperation with Israeli Ambassador Alona Fischer-Kamm on September 8, 2026.
•Ekkapop Pienpasawut stated that the government views public expressions of concern as a pure power to protect national interests.

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Key Entities

Person

Ekkapop Pienpasawut(เอกภพ เพียรพิเศษ)

Government spokesperson who provided updates on nominee crackdowns and government stances.

Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️

The Prime Minister who ordered the crackdown on nominee businesses and signed deportation orders.

Yaacov Ohayon(ยาคอฟ โอฮะยอน)

An Israeli national deported for violating laws and disturbing public peace.

Kevin Dimino(เควิน ดิมิโน)

A French national deported for threats, physical assault, and creating racial and religious division.

Sihasak Phuangketkeow(สีหศักดิ์ พวงเกตุแก้ว)ℹ️

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Alona Fischer-Kamm(อะโลนา ฟิชเชอร์-คัมม์)

The Israeli Ambassador to Thailand.

Organization

Department of Business Development(กรมพัฒนาธุรกิจการค้า)

The agency reporting the decrease in nominee company registrations.

Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO)(สำนักงาน ปปง.)

The agency responsible for seizing and freezing assets in the Gym Liak-Ben Smith case.

Department of Provincial Administration(กรมการปกครอง)ℹ️

An agency participating in the Huai Khwang Integration operation.

Immigration Bureau(สำนักงานตรวจคนเข้าเมือง)

An agency participating in the Huai Khwang Integration operation.

Department of Employment(กรมการจัดหางาน)ℹ️

An agency participating in the Huai Khwang Integration operation.

Department of Special Investigation (DSI)(กรมสอบสวนคดีพิเศษ)

An agency participating in the Huai Khwang Integration operation.

Ministry of Interior(กระทรวงมหาดไทย)ℹ️

The ministry that issued the deportation orders.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs(กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ)ℹ️

The ministry led by Sihasak Phuangketkeow that discussed cooperation with Israel.

Place

Koh Phangan(เกาะพะงัน)ℹ️

A location in Surat Thani where illegal foreign land holdings were inspected.

Surat Thani(สุราษฎร์ธานี)ℹ️

The province where Koh Phangan is located.