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Raid on Nominee Networks in Pattaya

Raid on Nominee Networks in Pattaya

Khaosod•Politics•4d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai authorities conducted raids at three locations in Pattaya to crack down on nominee networks used by foreigners to hold land and operate businesses.

  • •The operation took place on August 21, 2026 in Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.
  • •The raid targeted suspected nominee networks holding land and conducting business on behalf of foreigners.
  • •The operation was led by Worasit Liangprasit and Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruttaphon Naowarat.

Overview

  • •On August 21, 2026, authorities conducted raids at three locations in Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.
  • •Worasit Liangprasit and Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruttaphon Naowarat led a joint force including the Department of Provincial Administration, DSI, and the Royal Thai Police.
  • •The operation followed the government policy of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to suppress illegal businesses.
  • •The raids targeted the use of Thai nationals as nominees to hold land and operate businesses for foreigners, which affects the economy and public order.
  • •The investigation expanded from previous checks in Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Surat Thani Province, and Phuket Province.
  • •Authorities seized computer equipment and documents, including evidence of Thai law firm employees and an aluminum business worker from Samut Sakhon Province acting as shareholders.
  • •The Ministry of Interior will collaborate with the Department of Special Investigation to investigate all related parties and enforce the law.

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Key Entities

Person

Worasit Liangprasit(วรศิษฎ์ เลียงประสิทธิ์)
Deputy Minister of Interior who led the raid in Pattaya.
Ruttaphon Naowarat(รุทธพล เนาวรัตน์)
Minister of Justice and Police Lieutenant General who led the raid in Pattaya.
Witsanu Chimtrakul(วิษณุ ฉิมตระกูล)
Deputy Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation.
Naris Niramaiwong(นริศ นิรามัยวงศ์)
Governor of Chonburi Province.
Isara Charoenchasri(อิสรา เจริญชาศรี)
Deputy Governor of Chonburi Province.
Ruangluck Ruangyamee(เรืองลักษณ์ เรืองยังมี)
Director of the Office of the Volunteer Defense Corps.
Pongpan Wongmanithet(พงศ์พันธ์ วงษ์มณีเทศ)
Commander of Chonburi Provincial Police.
Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️
Prime Minister and Minister of Interior who set the policy to suppress illegal businesses.

Organization

Department of Provincial Administration(กรมการปกครอง)ℹ️
Agency that provided special operation units for the raids.
Department of Special Investigation(กรมสอบสวนคดีพิเศษ)ℹ️
Agency also known as DSI that integrated forces for the operation.
Royal Thai Police(สำนักงานตำรวจแห่งชาติ)ℹ️
National police agency that integrated forces for the operation.
Ministry of Interior(กระทรวงมหาดไทย)ℹ️
Ministry that integrated with other agencies to carry out the operation.
Ministry of Justice(กระทรวงยุติธรรม)ℹ️
Ministry that collaborated in the operation.

Place

Pattaya(เมืองพัทยา)ℹ️
The location where the three raid points were situated.
Bang Lamung District(อำเภอบางละมุง)ℹ️
The district in Chonburi Province where the raids occurred.
Chonburi Province(จังหวัดชลบุรี)ℹ️
The province where the raids took place.
Koh Phangan(เกาะพะงัน)ℹ️
One of the areas previously inspected before the Pattaya operation.
Koh Samui(เกาะสมุย)ℹ️
One of the areas previously inspected before the Pattaya operation.
Surat Thani Province(จังหวัดสุราษฎร์ธานี)ℹ️
The province where Koh Phangan and Koh Samui are located.
Phuket Province(จังหวัดภูเก็ต)ℹ️
One of the areas previously inspected before the Pattaya operation.
Samut Sakhon Province(จังหวัดสมุทรสาคร)ℹ️
The province where the aluminum business worker acting as a nominee was from.

Law

Foreign Business Act 1999(พระราชบัญญัติการประกอบธุรกิจของคนต่างด้าว พ.ศ. 2542)
The law under which the search warrants were issued for the operation.