Thai Police Raid Russian Property Scam in Pattaya

Thai police carried out a large‑scale crackdown on an illegal foreign‑nominee property network in Chonburi province. On 17 July 2026, more than 200 officers searched 41 sites, including a luxury housing development in Bang Lamung, and arrested four Russian nationals. The operation seized records from 33 companies and seized evidence worth an estimated 235 million baht in damages.

Investigators said the scheme involved about 495 companies that hid the true owners behind Thai “nominee” shareholders, allowing foreigners to own hundreds of luxury homes and land worth over 5 billion baht. Authorities issued summons to 33 foreign nationals linked to the enterprises and confiscated advertising material that promoted the development as a “Russian village.” Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Samran Nuanma announced the raids and highlighted the use of a Russia‑registered website to market the properties.

The crackdown targets the circumvention of Thailand’s strict foreign‑ownership laws and aims to prevent further illicit land transactions.