Hua Hin raids arrest 13 in foreign nominee property probe

Police arrested 13 foreign nationals during raids on 15 locations in Hua Hin as authorities expanded an investigation into 33 companies suspected of using Thai nominee shareholders to hold high-value pool villas and other property for foreigners.

The sixth phase of the nationwide nominee crackdown involved more than 200 police officers and government officials in Prachuap Khiri Khan on Monday (August 10). Courts had issued arrest warrants for 45 foreign nationals, while police summoned 39 Thai nationals for questioning.

Those arrested comprised three British nationals, four Chinese nationals and one national each from Italy, France, the Netherlands, Austria, the Philippines and the United States. The suspects remain subject to further investigation and have not been charged in court.

Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Samran Nuanma ordered the operation, which was led by Pol Lt Gen Nopasil Poolsawat, a commissioner attached to the Office of the National Police Chief, and Provincial Police Region 7 commissioner Pol Lt Gen Phisit Tanprasert.

The Prachuap Khiri Khan governor and officials from the Department of Business Development and the Department of Lands also took part.

Six companies linked to targeted villa development

The searches focused on a development of detached houses and modern pool villas in Thap Tai subdistrict, Hua Hin. Police said the properties were priced at approximately 10–20 million baht each.

The wider investigation covers 33 companies suspected of holding land on behalf of foreign nationals, with the property involved valued at about 300 million baht. Detailed checks at the targeted development identified six companies allegedly using Thai nationals as nominee shareholders—four connected to its first phase and two to its second.

According to police, foreign nationals questioned during the investigation said they wanted to hold property in Thailand and had been advised by law and accounting firms to establish companies for that purpose.

They reportedly told investigators that they believed the arrangements allowed them to hold the properties legally. Police said, however, that the companies concerned did not conduct genuine business operations. The law and accounting firms referred to in the statements were not identified.

Thai nationals listed as shareholders allegedly told investigators that they had agreed to hold shares on behalf of foreigners but had never paid for the shares or participated in managing the companies.

They also said they had not seen financial documents or other evidence relating to their purported investments. Police suspect the corporate structures were used to conceal foreign control or beneficial ownership of the properties.

Seized records to support financial investigation

Officers seized company-registration documents, accounting records, computers, mobile phones and electronic data during the operation.

Investigators will examine the material and trace financial transactions as they seek to identify other people, beneficiaries or networks potentially involved in Thailand and overseas.

The Royal Thai Police said the inquiry would also cover any government officials suspected of corruption or of improperly assisting those involved.

Police stressed that the campaign targets nominee structures and foreign-backed businesses suspected of operating unlawfully, rather than legitimate foreign investors complying with Thai law.

Previous phases span six tourist provinces

The Hua Hin operation follows five earlier phases of the crackdown. The campaign began with investigations on Koh Phangan in Surat Thani, where police examined nominee companies, law firms and accounting networks allegedly used to control property and tourism businesses.

Phase 3 expanded the operation to Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi, where authorities examined 89 land plots and buildings valued at more than 1.05 billion baht. Phase 4 moved to Chonburi, while Phase 5 targeted 31 companies and 29 land plots worth about 633 million baht in Chiang Mai.

Police said the first five phases examined 233 plots of land and buildings covering more than 160 rai, or more than 25.6 hectares, with an estimated combined value of 2.539 billion baht.

Courts approved 133 arrest warrants arising from the earlier operations, while 20 cases had resulted in convictions, according to the police summary.

The Royal Thai Police said it would continue investigating suspected nominee networks and foreign-funded groups operating unlawfully in tourist destinations nationwide.

Members of the public can report suspected illegal foreign business activity to their local police station or the Royal Thai Police hotline on 1599, available around the clock.