Bangkok: The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has announced a comprehensive strategy to combat the issue of foreign nationals using Thai nominees to hold land and conduct business in Phuket, with plans to expand these efforts nationwide. Mr. Asaphol Santraiphop, Chairman of the Committee on Prevention and Suppression of Corruption and Misconduct, revealed the findings following a committee meeting aimed at addressing this prevalent issue.
According to Thai News Agency, the committee's investigation was prompted by a study visit to Phuket in June 2026, where it was discovered that foreigners were potentially jeopardizing national security and the economy by using Thai nationals as nominees. This led to an urgent call for integrated action and stricter enforcement of relevant laws by various agencies to prevent corruption and misconduct.
During the meeting, representatives from several key governmental departments, including the Department of Land, Anti-Money Laundering Office, and Department of Business Development, were invited to provide insights. The Department of Business Development reported that it has updated regulations and is in the process of amending laws to curb the use of Thai nationals as proxies in foreign business operations. In Phuket alone, 1,752 companies were identified with foreign shareholders, prompting action from the provincial committee.
The Phuket Provincial Commerce Office has already made significant strides, establishing an investigative working group that has led to a substantial reduction in foreign business activity. This effort involves a detailed analysis of financial and shareholder records, with findings submitted to a provincial-level task force consisting of various governmental departments. Cases of wrongdoing are then forwarded to law enforcement for prosecution.
On a broader scale, the Department of Land has undertaken an extensive review of over 203,000 legal entities nationwide, pinpointing 4,041 as high-risk for foreign ownership. These findings are now under investigation by provincial committees across all 77 provinces, with the potential to mandate the sale of land under Section 94 of the Land Code if violations are confirmed.
In Phuket, the investigation has led to 109 legal complaints, with a number of cases already prosecuted. Additionally, efforts to address nominee-related offenses are ongoing, with the Anti-Money Laundering Office working to amend legislation to classify such offenses as predicate offenses.
The Economic Crime Suppression Division has also played a role, prosecuting 68 cases linked to foreign business operations. However, the division lacks direct jurisdiction over foreign land ownership issues, highlighting the need for coordinated efforts across agencies.
The committee acknowledges the complexity of the nominee issue and emphasizes the importance of inter-agency cooperation and legal reforms to close existing loopholes. This initiative originated from concerns over illegal land use in Phuket's coastal areas, where nominees have been reportedly used to hold land.
As the NACC prepares for its next meeting, which will explore data collection practices by government officials, it remains committed to serving as a central coordinating body to ensure systematic and effective resolution of the nominee issue. The aim is to prevent similar challenges from arising in the future, thus safeguarding Thailand's economic and national security interests.