PHUKET — Provincial Police Region 8 has announced a major crackdown on illegal foreign business operations across seven southern tourism provinces, with damages estimated at over 1 billion baht ($29.6 million) in Phuket. They also arrested a Chinese couple suspected of living illegally in a luxury villa.
The operation targeted foreigners illegally conducting business in Thailand through nominee arrangements, primarily in Phuket, Krabi, Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phang Nga, Ranong, and Surat Thani.
Police Lieutenant General Surapong Thanomjit, Commander of Provincial Police Region 8, reported on February 25 that raids were conducted on 29 locations across the region, resulting in 23 arrests.
A significant case in Phuket involved Chinese nationals using Thai nominees to operate restaurants, an international school, hotels, car rental businesses, condominiums, and luxury villa developments worth approximately 1 billion baht. Police seized 4.1 million baht ($121,290) in cash and raided accounting offices involved in document falsification.
Meanwhile, Region 8 Police also arrested a Chinese couple, Mr. Wang Zhongyu, 29, and Ms. Chun Chen, 31, on February 25 at their private villa in Chalong district. Officers discovered a Mercedes-Benz with special auction license plates and three new Toyota Alphards parked outside, despite the couple having no visible means of support.
Immigration records revealed Wang had overstayed his visa by a staggering 1,317 days, while Chen had previously been banned from Thailand for five years and admitted to re-entering the country illegally through Malaysia.
Both suspects were handed over to Chalong Police Station investigators. Mr. Wang faces charges of being a foreigner who has overstayed by 1,317 days, while Ms. Chen is charged with being a foreigner who entered and remained in Thailand without permission.
Investigators are now expanding their probe to determine the couple’s connection to the wider network of illegal businesses targeted in the operation.
__________
