The Deputy Interior Minister is stepping up checks on illegal practices by foreigners in the islands of Surat Thani, particularly on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.
The Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liengprasit has ordered the extension of investigations into shell companies, land ownership, hotels and the employment of foreign labour in Surat Thani province. The authorities have identified 112 legal entities holding land on Koh Phangan island and showing signs of non-compliance.
Provincial services have cross-referenced data from several administrations: commerce, land registry, taxes, local administration and labour inspection. Of the 25,864 legal entities recorded in the province, 11,721 have foreign shareholders and 9,281 exceed the 49% foreign ownership threshold.
On Koh Phangan, 112 companies have been flagged for irregular land ownership. They own a total of 124 plots, equivalent to approximately 86 rai. Eight cases have already been judged and eight plots have been ordered for sale by the provincial governor.
“When we receive information or a complaint, we must follow it through to its conclusion. If an offence is established, it must be sanctioned according to the law. At the same time, operators who comply with the rules must benefit from complete fairness.”
Checks are also being carried out on hotels and commercial establishments. Since 13 May, several cases have been opened on Samui and Phangan, some already resulting in arrest warrants. At the same time, 104 foreign workers and 46 employers have been prosecuted for breaches of labour legislation.
The Deputy Minister stressed the need for coordinated action between all administrations to prevent cases from remaining mere statistics. The stated aim is to clarify the rules: sanction fraud while protecting foreign investors who respect the law.