Thai Commerce Ministry Cracks Down on Foreign Real Estate Nominees

MGR Online•Economy•33m ago

Reader Briefing

The Department of Business Development led a multi-agency operation in Bang Lamung, Chonburi, to inspect 33 companies suspected of using Thai nominees for illegal real estate holdings.

•The operation took place on July 17, 2026, in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.
•Authorities inspected 33 companies, utilizing 4 arrest warrants and 41 search warrants.
•Investigators found 14 companies with over 50% foreign ownership holding land through illegal methods.
•The crackdown targets the violation of the Foreign Business Act 1999.

Overview

•On July 17, 2026, the Department of Business Development and partners conducted raids in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.
•The joint task force inspected 33 companies and found behaviors involving the use of Thai nominees to buy and resell houses or rent them out.
•Authorities identified 14 companies where foreign entities held more than 50% of shares and illegally possessed land in luxury housing projects.
•Some companies used a method of transferring shareholders in succession instead of conducting legal sales and purchases.
•Investigators reviewed accounting documents, financial trails, Work Permits, and residency documents of those involved.
•Poonpong Naiyanapakorn stated that Thai nominees face up to 3 years in prison or fines between 100,000 to 1,000,000 Baht under Section 36.
•Foreigners operating businesses without permission face penalties under Section 37 and court orders to cease business operations.
•The operation followed strict orders from the Prime Minister to monitor foreign entities violating the Foreign Business Act 1999.

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Key Quotes

Poonpong Naiyanapakorn

"If any Thai person is found to have behavior that facilitates benefits or accepts money to appoint themselves as a concealed nominee for foreigners, they will be strictly prosecuted."

หากพบว่าคนไทยรายใดมีพฤติกรรมเอื้อประโยชน์ ยอมรับเงิน หรือผลประโยชน์เพื่อแต่งตั้งตนเองเป็นนอมินีอำพรางให้ต่างชาติ จะต้องถูกดำเนินคดีอาญาอย่างเด็ดขาดตามมาตรา 36

Key Entities

Organization

Department of Business Development(กรมพัฒนาธุรกิจการค้า)

The government agency leading the crackdown on foreign nominees in the real estate sector.

Office of the National Auditor(สำนักงานตรวจแห่งชาติ)

An agency that partnered with the Department of Business Development for the operation.

Ministry of Commerce(กระทรวงพาณิชย์)ℹ️

The ministry overseeing the Department of Business Development.

Chonburi Provincial Land Office(ที่ดินจังหวัดชลบุรี)