Koh Samui illegal nominee business crackdown

Authorities in Koh Samui have launched a large-scale crackdown on illegal nominee businesses, involving over 300 police and Interior Ministry officials. Investigations into the island’s 12,906 registered companies identified 875 showing signs of nominee arrangements, with 59 suspicious companies holding property and land valued at approximately 1.2 billion baht.

The raids have resulted in 60 legal complaints against 88 suspects, including 26 Thais and 62 foreigners from various nations such as China, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Austria, the Philippines, and the United States. Specific networks under scrutiny include Israeli nationals operating unlicensed nurseries and luxury villa rentals, and German nationals suspected of violating construction regulations.

Among those targeted is French businessman Stéphane Thierry Bastok, who is under investigation for allegedly using Thai nominees—including restaurant employees and a driver—to control companies, such as an unlicensed 12-room accommodation facility. Bastok is also facing allegations of investment fraud involving approximately 26.4 million baht solicited for a cannabis farm project that was never realized.