SURAT THANI — 16 August 2026, Surat Thani Immigration Police have expanded an investigation into a French businessman suspected of using Thai nominees to operate businesses on Koh Samui, uncovering an allegedly unlicensed hotel and possible links to a 26.4 million baht cannabis farm investment scam.
The operation, dubbed “Crackdown on Foreign Nominee Networks, Phase 7,” was launched in response to a policy by National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet and Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma, deputy national police chief and director of the Center for the Suppression of Transnational Crime and Illegal Immigration.
On 16 August 2026, Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumas Boonyalak, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, through Pol. Maj. Gen. Chuthares Yingyongdamrongsakul, commissioner of Immigration Division 6, ordered officers to investigate foreigners suspected of conducting businesses through concealed shareholding arrangements, including using Thai nationals as nominees to hold land through Thai-registered companies.
Pol. Col. Naruet Phutthawiro, superintendent of Surat Thani Immigration, said officers had expanded their investigation into foreign investors operating businesses on Koh Samui after finding suspicious shareholding arrangements involving Thai nationals.
One person under investigation is Stephane Thierry Bastok, 74, a French national, who is also facing legal proceedings over allegations that he persuaded eight fellow French nationals to invest about3.3 million baht each, totaling more than 26.4 million baht (about €900,000), in a cannabis farm project.
The farm was allegedly never established. Investigators at Bo Phut and Koh Samui police stations have completed their case files and submitted them to prosecutors for consideration.
Based on the information, Surat Thani Immigration examined Bastok’s business activities and asset holdings and found links to Ida B Co Ltd and IDA B Domain Co Ltd, which were involved in land ownership and accommodation businesses in Moo 5, Lipanoi subdistrict, Koh Samui district.
Investigators found that Ida B Co Ltd owned about 7 rai, 3 ngan and 80 square wah of land. In 2021, a three-story building was constructed on the property and later operated as an accommodation business under the name “IDA B DOMAIN” by IDA B Domain Co Ltd.
The property had 12 rooms and a restaurant and advertised daily room bookings through online accommodation platforms. The company also operated its own website to attract tourists.
However, officers found no hotel business license issued by the Koh Samui district hotel registrar.
Immigration records filed under Section 38 of the Immigration Act showed that guests generally stayed for short periods, consistent with daily accommodation services. Officers also found an application for a health-hazardous business license describing the operation as a 12-room rental business.
An examination of the companies’ shareholding structures and financial statements raised further suspicions.
Ida B Co Ltd had reported losses continuously and showed no genuine business revenue, appearing to exist primarily to hold the land. Three Thai nominees collectively held 60% of the shares. Officers said all three were merely restaurant employees and a driver with no apparent financial capacity to make such an investment.
IDA B Domain Co Ltd also had two Thai nominees collectively holding 60% of its shares. One of the Thai shareholders admitted that he was only an employee whose name had been used to serve as a company director and handle documents, with no authority over the company’s finances.
Financial records also showed transfers of more than 7.7 million baht from corporate accounts to Bastok’s personal account and more than 1.5 million baht to his son, which officers said indicated that Bastok was the sole source of funds and the person actually controlling the businesses.
Immigration officers therefore assigned Pol. Lt. Col. Arun Musigim, deputy inspector at Surat Thani Immigration, to file a complaint with investigators against Bastok.
He faces charges under the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999), including Sections 8, 36, 37 and 41, as well as operating a hotel without a license under the Hotel Act B.E. 2547 (2004).
Ida B Co Ltd and IDA B Domain Co Ltd face allegations of allowing a foreigner to conduct businesses in violation of the law, allowing Thai nationals to hold shares on behalf of a foreigner, and operating a hotel without authorization.
The five Thai nominees face charges of assisting, supporting or holding shares on behalf of a foreigner to circumvent the law under Section 36, as well as offenses in their capacity as company directors under Section 41.
Pol. Col. Naruet said the case also raised the possibility of money laundering, as officers were examining whether money allegedly obtained through illegal activities had been used for investment.
He said officers had received credible information that Bastok had previously advertised the sale of a hotel, buildings and land for 300 million baht.
Surat Thani Immigration will coordinate with relevant agencies to investigate the assets and determine whether further legal action, including possible money laundering charges, is warranted.