The Thai Interior Ministry has ordered an investigation into more than a hundred companies in Phuket suspected of links to foreign nominee networks, with cumulative turnover exceeding five billion baht.
Vice Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee announced the launch of the investigation yesterday following an inspection on 25 July at the Chabad Centre in Patong. During the visit, he had a heated altercation with Israeli nationals.
The authorities have identified Thai shareholders as well as foreigners, including Israelis who have acquired Thai nationality, involved in the network. The companies concerned operate in car rental and tourist services, with some suspected of participating in low-cost tourist circuits.
Polapee Suwunchwee has tasked the Provincial Administration Department with working alongside the Ministry of Justice to trace the origin of the funds used to establish these businesses. If the capital proves to be of foreign origin, the structures could constitute illegal nominee arrangements.
The authorities will also examine the conditions under which these individuals obtained Thai nationality, verifying the documents submitted, the applicants’ backgrounds and the approval process. According to the vice minister, some may have changed nationality before applying for Thai citizenship.
Nominee arrangements have also been identified in the education sector. The investigations will be extended to other tourist destinations across the country.
Meanwhile, the parliamentary committee responsible for the prevention and suppression of corruption indicated yesterday that it had identified 1,752 companies in Phuket with foreign shareholders. Its chairman, Arsphol Suntraiphop, noted that the Land Department had examined 203,000 company files nationwide, identifying 4,041 high-risk entities.