Accompanied by several senior officials, ministers Plaphi Suwannachawi and Worasit Liangprasit inspected illegal hotels and cannabis shops on the island of Koh Phangan.
On 14 August the two Interior ministers led an enforcement operation on the island of Koh Phangan, in Surat Thani province. Five luxury hotels and resorts were inspected. None held the required licence to operate as a hotel. Several companies were also found to be controlled by foreigners through nominee structures, an illegal practice in Thailand.
The authorities seized assets and ordered the immediate closure of the businesses concerned. They also requested an investigation into financial flows and possible complicity within the local administration.
« We have identified 104 nominee companies holding 124 plots of land. Some are in the hands of Israeli, Swiss, French or Lithuanian nationals. We will continue to investigate the financial circuits and pursue legal action without exception », said Plaphi Suwannachawi.
The minister also stated that checks were under way into possible information leaks that allowed some establishments to close before the inspectors arrived. He further ordered an investigation into a possible conflict of interest involving a municipal public-health official.