THREE foreign nationals were arrested in a crackdown on illegal use of Thai nominees to operate business and working without a permit in Pai district, Mae Hong Son province, today (June 6), Naewna newspaper said.
The raid was mounted after Pol. Maj. Gen. Sarawut Khonyai, commander of Immigration Bureau Region 5, ordered all units to intensify investigation and suppress illegal business activities carried out by foreigners, particularly using Thai nominees to evade Foreign Business Act, BE 2542 (1999) which sets foreign business ownership to a maximum of 49% with this severely impacting Thailand’s security and economic system.
Pol. Col. Pirawat Wongsirimethikul, commander of Immigration Bureau Region 5’s investigation division, then led his team in kicking off the “Protect Pai City, Dismantle Nominee Network” operation.
First to be arrested was Mr. Goren, an Israeli national, under a warrant issued by Mae Hong Son Provincial Court (Pai Branch) on charges of making false statements to officials and violating the Foreign Business Act by illegally using Thai nationals as nominees to operate a studio business in the area.
The police team then arrested Mr. Frank, an American national, for working without a work permit and failing to report foreigners taking up residence within the prescribed timeframe, and Ms. Natalia, a Spanish national, for working without a work permit.
After arresting these three suspects the police team then searched five other locations and related businesses in Pai to examine documents and financial transactions plus check the connection between the foreign nationals and Thai individuals who allegedly acted as their nominees.
This information will be used to build a case and ensure decisive legal action is taken against all the suspects.
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page – The three foreign nationals arrested in the crackdown in Pai. Photos – Naewna
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