AN ONGOING crackdown on nominees in tourist areas revealed that over 50,000 Thais have assumed this role on behalf of foreigners with further investigation and legal proceedings continuing, Naewna newspaper said today (May 18).
Mr. Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director-general of the Department of Business Development, said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had assigned his agency to carry out the crackdown on the use of Thai nationals as nominees at tourist destinations during his visit to Koh Phangan on May 13.
Investigation uncovered the following details:
+ Koh Phangan: 4,761 limited liability companies, with foreign shareholders involved in 3,213 of them, 25 hold over 50% shares while 3,188 hold 0.01-49.99% shares. Top five nationalities are Israel, France, UK, Russia and Germany,
+ Koh Samui: 12,050 limited liability companies, with foreign shareholders involved in 8,213 of them, 53 hold over 50% shares while 8,160 hold 0.01-49.99% shares. Top five nationalities are France, UK, Russia, China and Israel
+ Phuket: 29,646 limited liability companies, with foreign shareholders involved in 11,626 of them, 239 hold over 50% shares while 11,387 hold 0.01-49.99% shares. Top five nationalities are Russia, China, UK, France and Australia
+ Phang Nga: 1,685 limited liability companies, with foreign shareholders involved in 346 of them, 12 hold over 50% shares while 334 hold 0.01-49.99% shares. The top five nationalities are Germany, UK, Sweden, France, US.
+ Krabi: 3,587 limited liability companies, with foreign shareholders involved in 749 of them, 13 hold over 50% shares while 736 hold 0.01-49.99% shares. Top five nationalities are UK, Sweden, France, US and Italy
+ Bang Lamung district (Pattaya): 33,314 limited liability companies, with foreign shareholders involved in 19,910 of them, 685 hold over 50% shares while 19,225 hold 0.01-49.99% shares. Top five nationalities are China, UK, Russia, India and Germany
+ Hua Hin: 4,061 limited liability companies, with foreign shareholders involved in 2,081 of them, 35 hold over 50% shares while 2,046 hold 0.01-49.99% shares. The top five nationalities are UK, Sweden, France, Germany and Norway.
+ Pai district: 139 limited liability companies, foreign shareholders involved in 50 of them, 2 hold over 50% shares while 48 hold 0.01-49.99% shares. The top five nationalities are UK, US, Israel, Germany and the Netherlands.
The department is expediting investigation into groups suspected of using nominees, such as companies with the highest legally defined proportion of foreign shareholding and granting foreigners the right to be directors with signing authority and Thais holding shares or serving as directors of multiple companies in an unusual manner. This could mean violatingForeign Business Act B.E. 2542, Sections 36 and 37, which is punishable by imprisonment of up to 3 years and a fine of 300,000 to 1,000,000 baht.
The Department will continue to cooperate with all agencies in seriously cracking down on nominee businesses to create fairness for Thai entrepreneurs, prevent the concealment of asset ownership, and maintain confidence in the country’s economic and investment system.
As the agency responsible for company registration, the department has also tightened registration procedures this year.
CAPTION:
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul discussing the nominee issue with officials during his visit to Koh Phangan on May 13, 2026. Photos – Naewna
Also read:
Bhumjaithai to lodge own charter amendment bill
Thai Q1 GDP growth beats forecasts, but 2026 outlook unchanged amid Middle East war
PM considering route changes and tunnels after train-bus collision
Govt urged to ensure help reaches micro-enterprises
No QR codes on Bangkok governor election ballots: Polling agency
Thaksin tipped to express points of view sooner than later
Plea against 400 billion baht borrowed funding decree lodged to Constitutional Court
Veteran US journalist laments the Lost Horizons of Asia and America
Foreign Ministry taps Young Gen Thai- Muslim talent to build peace tourism
As global military spending grows, Travel & Tourism faces a perilous future
