PATTAYA: Chonburi Governor Naris Niramaiwong and Pattaya Mayor Poramese Ngamphichet on Friday welcomed a House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee delegation for a study visit on the monitoring and inspection of foreigners’ business rights in Thailand. Over 14,000 businesses and juristic persons in the area were reviewed for foreign involvement, although it was stressed this wasn’t necessarily illegal and was just a comprehensive structural review to identify those operating with nominees or holding land illegally.
The meeting was held at the Thapphraya Meeting Room in Pattaya City Hall. The committee was led by First Vice Chairman Wasawat Phuangphonsri. Also present were Banglamung District Chief Anusak Phiriya-amon, Chonburi Provincial Police Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Phongphan Wongmanithet, tourism police, Pattaya immigration officers, officials from the Department of Lands, the Chonburi Provincial Commerce Office, the Department of Employment, and other relevant agencies from Chonburi Province and Pattaya City.
The committee visited on the 18th of September 2026 to gather facts and recommendations from government agencies, the private sector and the public on foreigners operating businesses in violation of Thai law in Chonburi, a major tourist destination. Officials said such activities could affect local residents, Thailand’s international image and relations with other countries.
Chonburi Provincial Commerce Chief Hathairat Keerival reported that 14,264 juristic persons/businesses in the province have foreign co-investment or shareholding and are considered a group requiring risk monitoring. In an initial review phase, 70 companies were selected for further detailed inspection around possible nominee or illegal land holding structures. Fifty-four companies submitted explanations; 16 did not. Risk assessment placed 39 companies in the high-risk category and 31 in the low-risk category. All cases are now under investigation by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).
Chaiporn Prasertsiri of the Chonburi Land Office, Banglamung Branch, said 350 juristic persons with foreign ownership hold land in the Banglamung District alone. More than 7,000 individuals and entities are classified in a nominee-risk group. These cases are being examined jointly by the Provincial Commerce Office and DSI.
Committee members said information from the meeting would be compiled for consideration by the House in support of the government’s policy to suppress nominee arrangements, gray capital, and identity-card fraud. Officials were urged to integrate data on financial transactions, individuals, companies, shareholders and land holdings so investigations can be expanded to related networks and assets.
Authorities were instructed to supervise foreigners and address nominee problems in a straightforward, rapid manner and to apply the law strictly. Particular emphasis was placed on gray-capital operators using Thai nominees to hold land, run illegal businesses, or use Thailand as a base for crime, in line with the Prime Minister’s orders that such networks be eliminated.
