Lieutenant-General Itthiphon Itthisaranachai is overseeing progress against foreigners illegally holding land and businesses via Thais in Surat Thani, with 620 cases in six months.
On 23 April 2026, at the headquarters of the provincial police in Surat Thani, Lt-Gen Itthiphon Itthisaranachai, assistant to the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Police, visited the site to monitor progress in implementing government policies and those of the National Police Chief regarding offences related to "nominees". These practices consist of foreigners illegally holding land and conducting business activities via Thai nominees.
Lieutenant-General Itthiphon stated that these offences undermine the country’s economic security.
"The National Police Chief, Gen Kittirat Panyaphet, has ordered Regional Police 8, Surat Thani provincial police and immigration to collaborate with the provincial governor, the Land Department, the Business Development Department and security agencies to thoroughly investigate these cases."
The provincial task force, led by Mr Bandal Sathirachawan, deputy governor of Surat Thani, with Colonel Jarut Sarutayaporn, deputy to the Region 8 commander, and Col. Suwat Suksri, head of provincial police, reported its results. From 1 October 2025 to 21 April 2026, Surat Thani recorded 620 cases related to foreign offences and transnational crime.
The highest number of arrests took place at the Koh Phangan station (353 cases, including 80 for drugs and illegal activities), followed by Bophut (Koh Samui north-east zone) (150 cases), Koh Tao (74 cases, including online gambling) and Koh Samui (rest of the island) (43 cases, including foreign workers and weapons).
The provincial police conducted six raids in Koh Phangan district over the period, targeting 35 objectives, with precise chronological details. In total, 18 'nominee' cases have been handled, involving shareholders of nationalities French, German, Israeli, Russian, Belgian, Italian, Filipino, American and Ukrainian.
Among the notable cases, two companies have been prosecuted: one held by an Israeli via a Thai nominee for a yoga centre, and another by a Ukrainian for construction and sale of villas to foreigners, with an investment exceeding 200 million baht.
"The pursuit of foreigners committing offences and crimes that harm Thais is a priority for the government and the National Police Commander. The Surat Thani task force has initiated prosecutions against two nominee companies."
The Koh Phangan station has proposed visa revocations for seven tourists causing disturbances: one German for nuisance and six for drug-related offences (Brazil, Israel x2, Portugal, Singapore, Russia). The senior official urged intensifying these efforts to reassure the local population and tourists, ensuring transparent enforcement of the law.