The Director General of the Land Department, Pornpoj Penphat, inspected the Koh Phangan land office and allayed fears: foreigners own only 6% of the titled land on the island. He has however announced the opening of investigations into 47 companies suspected of using Thai nominees, 12 of which are already being prosecuted.
On 13 May, Pornpoj Penphat, accompanied by his team, visited the Koh Samui land office (branch for Koh Phangan, Surat Thani province) to address the fierce criticisms circulating on social media regarding land ownership by foreigners.
After examining all the island's data, the senior official revealed that only 38% of Koh Phangan's territory has property titles. Of these titled lands, foreigners hold just 6%.
There is no 'mass land grab' or worrying loss of sovereignty to foreigners, contrary to the circulating rumours.
A more in-depth investigation into companies has however identified 1,832 businesses involving foreigners. Among them, 47 companies show serious anomalies suggesting the illegal use of Thai nominees to circumvent the land ownership law.
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is accelerating its probes into 34 of these companies, valued at over 100 million baht. This very morning, the police have already proceeded to the arrest and charging of 12 companies. The remaining 35 are the subject of in-depth investigations.
The authorities have promised severe sanctions: immediate cancellation of registrations and maximum judicial action against all offenders.
The Land Department remains vigilant and applies strict controls in tourist areas to prevent any circumvention of the law by foreigners.
Pornpoj Penphat has finally urged the public to consume information with discernment and to rely solely on statistically verified data.