The government is vigorously taking action to combat the use of Thai nominees by foreigners in key business sectors, including tourism, real estate, logistics, warehousing, and agricultural product trade. This crackdown is set to continue until 2026, with a focus on preventing economic damage to the country.
Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang has highlighted the importance of addressing the issue of foreign businesses using Thai nominees. Efforts are being made to investigate and take legal action against companies suspected of engaging in these practices. The government aims to propose plans for short, medium, and long-term strategies to the Committee on Foreign Product and Business Compliance.
In collaboration with the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo), legal amendments are being expedited to include nominee-related offenses as grounds for seizing and freezing the assets of offenders. The Department of Business Development (DBD) is also establishing a center to handle complaints related to nominee activities.
Inspectors will concentrate on key tourist provinces, such as Greater Bangkok, Phuket, Chon Buri, Surat Thani, and Chiang Mai, for tourism and real estate sectors. For agricultural product trade, scrutiny will be on provinces known for tropical fruit production, particularly Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Cases of foreigners leasing land to grow tropical fruits have been identified, despite legal restrictions.
Logistics inspections will target land transport services in border provinces in the North and Northeast, while warehouses will be scrutinized in Bangkok and metropolitan areas. The Department of Business Development plans to screen companies at risk of using nominees by linking business data with relevant agencies in the medium term.
In the long term, amendments to Amlo laws are being considered to allow the DBD to refuse or revoke business registration for high-risk companies under anti-money laundering laws. The crackdown will involve investigating 26,830 juristic persons in various sectors next year to eliminate nominee activities by mid-2026.
The focus on eliminating Thai nominees in high-risk sectors is crucial to safeguarding the economy and ensuring fair business practices. The government’s comprehensive approach aims to create a level playing field for businesses operating in Thailand and prevent exploitation of legal loopholes by foreign entities. By cracking down on the misuse of nominees, the government is working to protect the integrity of key industries and promote transparency in business operations.
