KOH SAMUI — Police have charged 16 individuals, including a German national and several Thai nominees, in connection with an illegal luxury villa development scheme on Koh Samui island, Thailand’s Police Region 8 Commander Police Lieutenant General Surapong Thanomchit announced on November 29, 2024.
The investigation began when Koh Samui Municipality officials and the Office of the Ombudsman discovered 15 unauthorized building plots on hillside land during an inspection on February 14, 2024. The findings led to a formal complaint filed at Bo Phut Police Station regarding foreign business operations using Thai nominees.
According to the investigation, in 2016, a German national identified as Holger purchased approximately 10 rai (4 acres) of land on Chaweng Noi Hill in Bo Phut sub-district through nominee companies, including Seabreeze Two Co., Ltd. and STK.INV Co., Ltd. The land was subsequently developed into luxury villas marketed to foreign clients under the “Seabreeze” project name.
The scheme involved multiple companies established to manage individual villa properties, including Villa Amana Co., Ltd., Skyline View Co., Ltd., Seabreeze One Co., Ltd., and Rock Soul and View Co., Ltd. Two law firms – Sukhothai Inter Law (Koh Samui) Co., Ltd. and Ms. Korakot Bassett’s Korakot Legal and Associates Co., Ltd. – allegedly facilitated the illegal arrangements.
Of the 19 buildings constructed in the development, 13 have been completed. Eight structures received building permits, while ten were built without proper authorization. The municipality has filed complaints regarding 11 buildings and is investigating six nominee companies involved in land ownership.
The German national and related corporations face charges including:
- Filing false information in official documents
- Operating unauthorized foreign businesses
- Illegal land acquisition by foreigners
- Using Thai nominees to circumvent foreign business laws
The Thai nominees and involved law firms are charged with:
- Submitting false information to government officials
- Assisting foreigners in illegal land acquisition
- Supporting foreign businesses through nominee arrangements
- Tax evasion
Lt. Gen. Surapong noted that such cases are increasing, partly due to tourism promotion policies. “While we welcome tourists, some are seeking business opportunities through illegal means, often receiving incorrect legal advice leading to fraudulent transactions,” he said.
The investigation model will be shared with other tourist destinations like Phuket and Krabi to combat similar schemes and protect Thai interests.
_______
Related articles:
