PATTAYA, Thailand
Thai authorities on Friday, August 21st, conducted coordinated search operations at three locations in Pattaya City, targeting suspected networks using Thai nominees to hold land and operate businesses worth hundreds of millions of Baht, especially juristic persons, on behalf of foreigners, in alleged violation of the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999).
The operation was jointly led by Police Lieutenant General Rutthaphon Naowarat, Minister of Justice; Mr. Worasit Ngaprasit, Deputy Minister of Interior; Mr. Narit Niramaiwong, Governor of Chonburi; Police Colonel Wisanu Chimtrakul, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI); forensic science teams; and Police Lieutenant Colonel Phongphan Wongmaneethep, Commander of Chonburi Provincial Police. The searches were carried out under court warrants issued by the Criminal Court.
The Ministry of Justice assigned the DSI, which handles complex special cases with broad impact, to intensify and expand its ongoing investigations into the use of nominees across multiple areas, including Pattaya. The probe has now been formalized as Special Case No. 135/2569, involving alleged evasion or violation of the Foreign Business Act through the registration of Thai nationals as shareholders on behalf of foreign beneficial owners.
Officers searched three target premises and seized preliminary evidence, including numerous company registration documents that may constitute offenses under the Act. The materials are primarily linked to multiple juristic persons with combined assets valued at hundreds of millions of baht, although the exact names of the companies and condos were not released by the DSI at this time. The nationalities and names of the suspected foreigners involved were also not released.
The primary objective of the operation was to gather evidence related to the alleged offenses, particularly business-related documents and electronic communications data. Authorities seized or froze electronic devices and computer systems believed to be connected to the activities in order to preserve evidence for forensic examination. Investigators hope to use the materials to establish relationships, coordination, and patterns of conduct among individuals or groups involved, and to expand the inquiry to all relevant parties.
Officials stated that the investigation will proceed strictly according to the evidence and the law, ensuring fairness throughout the process.
