Zoo Raid: Israeli Nominee Business Suspected, 4 Thais Rotate Shares

Matichon•Society•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Authorities have raided a zoo in Krabi province suspected of operating as a nominee business, with evidence pointing to Israeli management and a rotating group of four Thai shareholders.

•Officials raided a zoo in Mueang Krabi District, Krabi Province, on May 29, 2026.
•The zoo is suspected of being a nominee business, facilitating foreign ownership.
•Evidence suggests Israeli individuals are involved in managing and operating the zoo.
•Four Thai individuals have been identified as rotating shareholders, maintaining a 51% Thai stake.

Overview

•On May 29, 2026, officials, including the Governor of Krabi and the Commander of Krabi Provincial Police, raided a zoo in Mueang Krabi District, Krabi Province, armed with a court warrant.
•The raid was conducted due to suspicions that the zoo was involved in a nominee business, where foreign nationals operate businesses using Thai individuals as nominees to circumvent laws.
•Officials seized evidence including mobile phones, electronic devices, and online conversation data, which are being examined for connections to the business's planning, shareholder structure, and clandestine operations.
•An investigation revealed that at least two Israeli nationals were involved in the planning, establishment, and management of the zoo.
•The investigation found that Thai individuals rotated as shareholders, totaling four individuals, to maintain the legal requirement of 51% Thai ownership and 49% foreign ownership.
•Officials believe this shareholder structure was designed to circumvent limitations imposed by the Foreign Business Act B.E. 1999 (1999).
•Officials have observed behavior indicating that foreign individuals are directly managing, controlling, and benefiting from the business, while some Thai nationals appear to be mere employees or nominees rather than true operators.
•Authorities are currently expanding their investigation into the financial transactions, sources of investment, and the true beneficiaries of the zoo's operations. The Provincial Animal Husbandry Office is also inspecting animal welfare and relevant documentation.

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Key Entities

Person

Angoon Seelatewakul(นายอังกูร ศีลาเทวากูล)

Governor of Krabi Province who led the raid on the suspected nominee zoo.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Sukchaisem Nakornwilai(พล.ต.ต.สุขเกษม นครวิลัย)

Commander of Krabi Provincial Police who participated in the raid.

Israeli individuals(ชาวอิสราเอล)ℹ️

Foreign nationals suspected of being involved in the management and operation of the zoo.

Four Thai individuals(คนไทย 4 ราย)

Thai nationals identified as rotating shareholders in the zoo, potentially acting as nominees.

Place

Krabi(กระบี่)ℹ️

The province where the suspected nominee zoo was raided.

Sai Thai Subdistrict, Mueang Krabi District(ตำบลไสไทย อำเภอเมืองกระบี่)

The specific location within Krabi Province where the zoo under investigation is situated.

Law

Foreign Business Act B.E. 1999 (1999)(พระราชบัญญัติการประกอบธุรกิจของคนต่างด้าว พ.ศ.1999)

The Thai law that officials believe the zoo operators were attempting to circumvent through a nominee structure.

Organization

Krabi Provincial Animal Husbandry Office(สำนักงานปศุสัตว์จังหวัดกระบี่)

The government office responsible for inspecting animal welfare and documentation at the zoo.