Thai Authorities Raid Foreign Nominee Real Estate in Pattaya

Khaosod•Economy•2d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai authorities raided 33 companies in Bang Lamung, Chonburi, to dismantle foreign nominee networks illegally holding luxury real estate.

•The Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Interior, and Royal Thai Police targeted 33 companies in Bang Lamung, Chonburi.
•Operations on July 17, 2026, involved 4 arrest warrants and 41 search warrants.
•Authorities found 14 companies holding land by creating foreign communities in luxury housing projects through nominee shareholders.
•The Department of Business Development identified 6,086 entities in Chonburi with foreign investment involved in real estate holding.

Overview

•On July 17, 2026, the Department of Business Development and the Chonburi Provincial task force conducted raids in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi.
•The Royal Thai Police executed 4 arrest warrants and 41 search warrants targeting 33 companies suspected of being nominees.
•The targeted entities used nominee structures and changed shareholders to avoid laws while holding, renting, and selling luxury real estate online.
•Authorities found 14 companies holding land within luxury housing projects, with some foreign entities holding more than 50% of shares.
•As of July 15, 2026, Chonburi Province has 76,752 existing legal entities, with 35,073 located in Bang Lamung District.
•Data shows 6,086 entities in Chonburi hold real estate with foreign investment, including 1,030 entities with 100% foreign investment.
•Phunphong Nainabhakorn stated that Thai nominees face up to 3 years in prison or fines between 100,000 and 1,000,000 Baht under Section 36.
•Foreigners operating businesses without permission face similar penalties under Section 37 and court-ordered business termination.

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Key Quotes

Phunphong Nainabhakorn

"If any Thai person is found to facilitate benefits, accept money or benefits to appoint themselves as a nominee to conceal foreigners, they will be strictly prosecuted under Section 36."

หากพบว่าคนไทยรายใดมีพฤติกรรมเอื้อประโยชน์ ยอมรับเงิน หรือผลประโยชน์เพื่อแต่งตั้งตนเองเป็นนอมินีอำพรางให้ต่างชาติ จะต้องถูกดำเนินคดีอาญาอย่างเด็ดขาดตามมาตรา 36

Key Entities

Organization

Ministry of Commerce(กระทรวงพาณิชย์)ℹ️

A government ministry that partnered with the Interior Ministry and Police to crack down on foreign nominee networks.

Ministry of Interior(มหาดไทย)ℹ️

A government ministry involved in the joint operation to raid luxury real estate networks in Chonburi.

Royal Thai Police(สำนักงานตำรวจแห่งชาติ)ℹ️

The national police force that issued warrants and conducted raids on 33 companies in Bang Lamung.

Department of Business Development(กรมพัฒนาธุรกิจการค้า)

The agency responsible for monitoring legal entities and enforcing the Foreign Business Act.

Place

Bang Lamung(บางละมุง)

A district in Chonburi Province where the luxury real estate raids took place.

Chonburi Province(จังหวัดชลบุรี)ℹ️

The province where the nominee networks were operating and where 76,752 legal entities are registered.

Person

Phunphong Nainabhakorn(พูนพงษ์ นัยนาภากรณ์)

The Director-General of the Department of Business Development.

Mom Luang Phuthong Thongyai(หม่อมหลวงภู่ทอง ทองใหญ่)

The Deputy Director-General of the Department of Business Development.

Naris Niramaiwong(นริศ นิรามัยวงศ์)

The Governor of Chonburi Province.

Samran Nuanma(สำราญ นวลมา)

The Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police.

Law

Foreign Business Act 1999(พ.ร.บ.การประกอบธุรกิจของคนต่างด้าว พ.ศ.2542)

The law regulating the business operations of foreigners in Thailand.