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3 clusters · 6 sources · 24 days · First seen · Last updated

Thai foreign‑nominee property scam crackdown

Overview

Thai authorities have expanded a coordinated crackdown on illegal foreign‑nominee property schemes designed to circumvent national ownership laws.

Following raids in Chonburi on 17 July 2026 that targeted a Russian‑linked network involving 495 companies and luxury homes valued at over 5 billion baht, and a 23 July operation in Bangkok targeting a Chinese national’s shell companies, enforcement has moved to Hua Hin. On 10 August 2026, more than 200 officers searched 15 locations in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

In the Hua Hin operation, police arrested 13 foreigners from various nations, including China, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Austria, the Philippines, and the United States. Authorities also obtained 45 arrest warrants for foreigners and issued summonses for 39 Thai nationals suspected of acting as nominees. Investigators identified approximately 849 suspicious companies in the region, noting that many Thai shareholders held no actual stake or operational involvement.

In coordination with the provincial governor, authorities have granted affected owners a 180-day period to sell their properties independently. If the properties are not sold within this timeframe, the land is expected to revert to the Thai state.

Entities

Prachuap Khiri Khan · Samran Nuanma · Department of Business Development · Hua Hin

Timeline

  1. 2 days ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources
    Hua Hin police arrest 13 foreigners in property nominee crackdown

    Thai authorities arrested 13 foreigners in Hua Hin during a crackdown on nominee companies used to illegally control real estate, with hundreds of other companies under investigation.

  2. 20 days ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources
    Bangkok police seize 33 luxury homes in Chinese nominee property scam

    Thai police seized 33 Bangkok luxury homes worth $35 million, uncovering a Chinese‑run nominee scheme using Thai proxies and shell companies.

  3. 25 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    Thai Police Raid Russian Property Scam in Pattaya

    Thai police raided 41 sites in Chonburi, arresting four Russian nationals and exposing a billion‑baht illegal property network that used Thai nominees to bypass ownership rules.

Sources

business-review.eu · chiangraitimes.com · newsclip.be · thailandnews.co · wochenblitz.com · worldtimes.co.jp