Thai PM orders probe into Koh Phangan nominee firms

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13 May 2026, 18:00

Thai PM orders probe into Koh Phangan nominee firms

SURAT THANI — 13 May 2026, Thai Prime Minister on Wednesday ordered an investigation into suspected nominee business arrangements involving foreign investoAdd Postrs on Koh Phangan, after authorities found allegedly illegal luxury pool villas linked to Israeli nationals.

At 14:10 on 13 May, Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, along with his delegation, conducted a field visit to monitor and expedite solutions for issues affecting local residents and businesses in major tourist destinations. The visit focused on the illegal use of Thai nationals as legal fronts (nominees) for foreign-owned businesses and the problem of unauthorized encroachment on public beachfront areas.

Anutin visited a property connected to a company under investigation and held discussions with ministers and local officials in front of a pool villa allegedly constructed without proper permits. Deputy national police chief Samran Nuanma, reported on the unauthorized construction of these villas owned by Israeli nationals, following the policy to dismantle foreign nominee networks on Koh Phangan.

Anutin asked Samran to prove whether the shareholders are indeed foreigners. He also ordered the authorities to examine the company’s financial transactions and source of funds.

Next, Anutin addressed controversy surrounding a cabinet resolution approved to ease procedures for foreign investors in eight business sectors, allowing foreign investors to operate without needing a license. He apologized for confusion on 12 May caused by comments from a newly appointed deputy government spokesperson, who had suggested foreigners would no longer need licenses to operate businesses in Thailand. In his eagerness to see the new appointee begin working promptly, he had instructed them to announce this specific matter immediately.

He has already reprimanded the Government Spokesperson, noting that each coalition party is already responsible for specific ministries—for example, the Pheu Thai Party oversees the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Labor. Each individual should focus on their assigned responsibilities. Therefore, I must apologize for the mistake in assigning a Deputy Government Spokesperson to announce such a critical matter. He sincerely apologizes for this error.

When asked to confirm that the resolution was not a move toward full liberalization of foreign business, he clarified that the policy was intended only to reduce duplicated administrative procedures. For instance, if a foreign national wishes to operate a business in Thailand, they must already obtain permits from the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning, the Department of Industrial Works, or the Ministry of Interior. This change means they will no longer need to file a redundant application with the Ministry of Commerce. This was the initiative of the Minister of Commerce, aimed at eliminating unnecessary overlap.

The Ministry of Commerce is responsible for business registration and issuing licenses for various operations. Once the primary regulatory agency grants permission, the business can proceed. However, on 12 May, the Deputy Government Spokesperson likely gave a brief and summarized statement that foreigners can operate in Thailand without a license, which is incorrect.

Anutin emphasized that it is not true at all. Foreigners must still obtain permission from the relevant authorities. They simply no longer need to file a redundant request with the Ministry of Commerce. The government is striving to reduce redundant steps and transition toward a One-Stop Service as much as possible, in line with our ease-of-doing-business policy.

Asked about the nominee issue in Koh Phangan, Anutin said he was here today specifically to address the nominee problem. More importantly, let his team not yet focus on whether there is land encroachment, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Department of Lands will handle that. Today, authorities are looking at the practice of setting up companies to sell them to foreigners. Foreign shareholding must not exceed 49%.

However, authorities are currently seeing multiple companies established with cross-shareholding structures. This makes a company appear Thai on paper, but in reality, the control and direction of the firm are 100% foreign-owned. This violates the spirit of Thai law.

To own land, a Thai company must maintain at least 51% Thai shareholding. In these cases, it is effectively 100% foreign; the company exists as a shell, but its Thainess is gradually dissolved. To put it simply, it is like putting a black wig on a foreigner to make them look Thai, but ultimately, the foreigner is still the one in control. That must be fixed.

Regarding the involvement of lawyers and legal advisors, Anutin noted that companies have legal and accounting advisors. Normally, with seven founders where Thais hold more than 50% capital, the Ministry of Commerce would approve the registration. But when the intent is to circumvent the law, such as one individual holding shares in over 200 shell companies to sell them as legal fronts for foreign businesses, this violates the spirit of our major laws. Therefore, he believed legal action can be taken.

In addition, the police must investigate the source of funds to see if money is being laundered into land ownership, granting foreigners the power to do as they please. These activities need to be blocked from happening.

He explained that the policy was intended only to reduce duplicated administrative procedures by removing the need for investors to obtain additional approvals from the Commerce Ministry after already securing licenses from sector-specific agencies.

Following the inspection, Anutin met local residents along the beach and urged the community to help preserve the island’s environment. “Please help keep the beaches clean and the water clear,” he said.

The prime minister later exchanged jokes with fishermen and residents who invited him squid fishing before he departed for neighboring Phuket province.

Thailand’s first Gripen E/F enters production

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Khaosod English

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13 May 2026, 17:54

Thailand’s first Saab JAS 39 Gripen E/F fighter jet has officially entered the production line at SAAB in Sweden, while Air Force Commander-in-Chief Seksan Kanta travelled to Stockholm to monitor progress on the programme and discuss future cooperation.

The Royal Thai Air Force signed a contract in August 2025 to procure four Gripen E/F fighter jets under the first phase of the “Peace Burapha 1” programme, valued at 19.5 billion baht. The agreement was signed with Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and SAAB.

On 13 May, Seksan, who also chairs the Thai-Swedish joint government project committee, attended a progress meeting at the FMV headquarters in Stockholm alongside members of the fighter procurement committee. The Thai delegation also held talks with FMV Deputy Director General Eva Hagwall regarding continued defence cooperation.

According to reports, the first Thai Gripen E/F aircraft has now entered the production line at SAAB’s facility in Linköping, Sweden.

The first phase of the procurement programme runs from fiscal years 2025 to 2029, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2029. Thailand also plans a second phase in fiscal year 2028 for an additional four aircraft as part of a long-term plan to acquire a full squadron of 12 Gripen E/F jets.

The new aircraft will replace ageing F-16 A/B fighters currently stationed at Wing 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima province.

24 Thais arrested near Cambodian border over “mule accounts”

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Khaosod English

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13 May 2026, 17:28

24 Thais arrested near Cambodian border over “mule accounts”

SA KAEO — 13 May 2026, Thai authorities arrested 24 Thai nationals near the Cambodian border while they were allegedly attempting to cross illegally to open so-called “mule accounts” for criminal networks in exchange for payment, officials said.

The arrests were carried out by Khlong Hat Task Force personnel under Burapha Task Force, Ranger Company 1301 and local administrative officers near a forested border area in Ban Non Sao Ae village in Aranyaprathet district.

Officials said the group consisted of 12 men and 12 women who were intercepted while walking along a natural border route in an apparent attempt to cross into Cambodia illegally.

During questioning, all 24 suspects reportedly admitted they had been recruited by brokers to travel to Cambodia to open bank accounts for criminal groups.

The suspects told investigators they had each been promised 25,000 baht for opening the accounts. They said Thai intermediaries had transported them to the border area, where Cambodian contacts were expected to receive them after crossing.

Authorities took the group for further questioning at a ranger unit under the 13th Ranger Regiment before transferring them to Khlong Nam Sai police station for legal proceedings.

Anutin: Beaches in front of hotels are public

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Khaosod English

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13 May 2026, 16:58

SURAT THANI — Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Wednesday vowed to crack down on illegal foreign nominee businesses and public beach encroachment on Ko Phangan, declaring that beaches belong to everyone and cannot be monopolised by hotels or private villas.

Speaking during a visit to Koh Phangan, Anutin said the government was serious about tackling growing problems affecting local residents and tourism operators, particularly the illegal use of Thai nominees by foreigners to operate businesses.

“We welcome foreign tourists who come here to spend money and travel legally, but we cannot accept those who come to take jobs or run businesses illegally. This is our home,” he said.

The prime minister also warned against private occupation of public beach areas, saying no hotel or villa owner had the right to claim beachfront land for exclusive use.

“Beaches belong to everyone,” Anutin said. “People must not allow anyone to seize public land. We must preserve the environment and keep beaches beautiful and orderly.”

He said authorities would introduce zoning measures and work with local agencies, including the Forestry Department and Department of National Parks, to ensure fair use of land without damaging nature.

Anutin said this was his first official visit to Koh Phangan to directly monitor illegal activities affecting local communities. He urged residents to report unlawful activities or behaviour damaging the island without fear.

The government wants Koh Phangan to remain an attractive tourist destination where local people can fairly earn a living and benefit from tourism income, he added.

Thai PM defends South Korea ban on illegal workers

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Khaosod English

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13 May 2026, 16:42

Thai PM defends South Korea ban on illegal workers

SURAT THANI — 13 May 2026, Thai Prime Minister on Wednesday said the government could not help Thai workers banned by South Korea for violating immigration or labor laws, insisting individuals must take responsibility for their actions abroad.

Giving an interview at 14:20 during a visit to Koh Phangan in Surat Thani province, Thai Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Anutin Charnvirakul responded to reports that South Korea had blacklisted seasonal agricultural and fisheries workers from four northeastern Thai provinces: Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, and Maha Sarakham, for the whole of 2026.

Anutin said he had not yet received an official report on the matter but stressed that countries had the right to ban foreign workers who entered or worked illegally. It is the same as foreigners illegally working in Thailand, they are also banned. He pointed to ongoing inspections on Koh Phangan, where authorities had uncovered unlicensed accommodation, illegal villas, and businesses operating without permits. Even if individuals say they are investing money in Thailand, that is not enough if they are breaking the law. Likewise, if Thai people go to work abroad and break their laws, they have the right to ban them as well. Therefore, one must simply not break the law.

Regarding the government’s plan to resolve this issue, Anutin replied, “We will not. We cannot help because you broke the law yourself.” However, he emphasized that the Thai government would provide full assistance if Thai citizens working legally overseas were unfairly treated or mistreated.

Asked whether South Korea’s restrictions could affect Thai tourists travelling to the country, Anutin said, “One rotten fish spoils the whole basket.” He urged Thai workers overseas to act responsibly and added that labor issues and tourism should not be confused. He rejected suggestions that Thai tourists would face increasing difficulties entering South Korea, noting that South Korea continued to benefit economically from Thai visitors as it also wants tourism revenue from Thai people because Thais spend money shopping and on beauty services. So, Thailand is an important economic partner for South Korea. Anutin emphasized that if problems arose, he would discuss the matter directly with the South Korean government, saying Thai and South Korean officials maintained good relations.

Chaiyaphum labour office recognises workers absconding after Korea E-8 ban

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Khaosod English

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13 May 2026, 16:02

Chaiyaphum labour office recognises workers absconding after Korea E-8 ban

CHAIYAPHUM — 13 May 2026, South Korea has suspended the recruitment of seasonal agricultural and fishery workers from four Thai provinces after multiple workers absconded from employers, Thai labour officials said.

Chutima Jumangmo, chief of the Chaiyaphum Provincial Employment Office, acknowledged that workers from the province had fled employers while working in South Korea under the E-8 seasonal worker visa programme.

She said South Korea had blacklisted Chaiyaphum, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen and Maha Sarakham from participating in the programme throughout 2026.

The restriction took effect from 1 January to 31 December 2026 after South Korean authorities reported a high rate of Thai workers fleeing employers, damaging confidence in the programme.

The E-8 visa scheme allows Thai workers to take seasonal jobs in South Korea’s agricultural and fishing sectors under a memorandum of understanding between the two governments.

Chutima stressed that the suspension applied only to E-8 visa holders and did not affect Thai workers travelling to South Korea under other labour programmes.

According to provincial employment figures, 103 workers from Chaiyaphum travelled to South Korea during the current fiscal year, including 94 sent through the Labour Ministry and seven through private recruitment companies.

Of those workers, 10 reportedly absconded from their employers after arriving in South Korea under the E-8 programme, violating the agreement and contributing to South Korea’s decision to suspend recruitment from the province.

Chutima said two workers from Chaiyaphum who travelled to South Korea on 5 May and 12 May would also be affected by the suspension and would no longer be permitted to work under the E-8 programme for the remainder of the year.

Thai authorities warned that workers who flee employers abroad risk arrest, imprisonment, deportation and blacklisting from future overseas employment opportunities.

Police raid gambling network with 72-million-baht turnover

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Khaosod English

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13 May 2026, 15:48

Police raid gambling network with 72-million-baht turnover

RANONG — 13 May 2026, Thai cybercrime police have dismantled an online gambling network operating from the southern province of Ranong, arresting a woman accused of working as an administrator for a platform that allegedly handled more than 72 million baht annually.

On Tuesday, Pol. Lt. Gen. Surapol Prembutr, Commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), and Pol. Maj. Gen. Sarayut Chunnawat, Commander of CCIB Division 2, directed a specialized task force to execute a crackdown. The operation, led by Pol. Col. Torsak Panklinput, Superintendent of CCIB Sub-division 4, along with Pol. Lt. Col. Ekarin Sonnak, Pol. Maj. Praphas Somwong, and Pol. Lt. Kookiat Cherdsoongnern, targeted key locations linked to online gambling websites in Ranong Province.

Investigators from Division 2 executed a search warrant (No. K.26/2026), issued by the Ranong Provincial Court, at a house in Moo 3, Bang Non subdistrict in Muang district, Ranong province. Authorities arrested a 24-year-old woman identified as Thipsiwan, a Ranong resident, and seized a computer, mobile phone, and internet router as evidence.

Following an investigation by the investigative team of CCIB Sub-Division 4 and Division 2, authorities identified the gambling website, known as “AM 08”, had been operating for more than two years and attracted more than 36,000 members, generating average monthly transactions of around six million baht, totaling over 72 million baht annually. According to investigators, the website offered a range of illegal gambling activities, including lotteries, slot machines, overseas football betting, baccarat, dragon tiger, and poker-style games.

Officers tracked the operation’s headquarters to Mueang Ranong District. Digital forensics revealed that the network had repeatedly changed the platform’s name while retaining its existing customer base in an effort to avoid detection and make it more difficult for authorities to trace those involved.

Investigators also found that before operating under the name “AM 08”, the gambling operation had previously generated transactions worth tens of millions of baht per month. Based on this evidence, authorities obtained a court-approved search warrant for the suspect’s residence, leading to the successful apprehension of the offenders and the seizure of various incriminating assets.

During the initial interrogation, the suspect admitted during questioning that she had worked as a customer service administrator for the gambling network for more than a year and received a monthly salary of 15,000 baht.

She has been charged with organizing, promoting, or soliciting, whether directly or indirectly, others to engage in unauthorized gambling activities through electronic media, police said.

Albrecht Weinberg, a Holocaust survivor who returned to Germany in his 80s, dies at 101

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Associated Press

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13 May 2026, 14:35

Germany Obit Weinberg — FILE - Albrecht Weinberg, one of the last survivors of the Holocaust, sits in the Leer town hall in Leer, Germany, March 5, 2025. (Hauke-Christian Dittrich/dpa via AP, File)

BERLIN (AP) — Albrecht Weinberg, who survived several Nazi concentration and death camps and lost most of his family in the Holocaust before returning to Germany in his 80s, has died at the age of 101, authorities in his home region said Tuesday.

Weinberg died in Leer, in northwestern Germany, weeks after he marked his birthday and the premiere of a film about his life, “Es ist immer in meinem Kopf” (“It is always in my head”), attended by hundreds of guests, the city said in a statement.

“Since returning from New York to his East Frisian home 14 years ago, Albrecht recounted tirelessly and with incredible energy his terrible experiences during the Nazi era and warned again and again against forgetting,” Mayor Claus-Peter Horst said.

Weinberg, who was born in Rhauderfehn, near Leer, on March 7, 1925, survived incarceration at the Auschwitz, Mittelbau-Dora and Bergen-Belsen camps as well as three death marches at the end of World War II. He spent years teaching high school students and others about the atrocities he had to live through.

Speaking last year, Weinberg said the memories of his wartime experiences still haunted him. “I sleep with it, I wake up with it, I sweat, I have nightmares; that is my present,” he said.

He said he worried what would happen when he was no longer around to bear witness.

“When my generation is not in this world anymore, when we disappear from the world, then the next generation can only read it out of the book,” he said.

Weinberg was awarded Germany’s Order of Merit in 2017 but handed it back last year in protest at a parliamentary vote in which a motion put forward by Friedrich Merz, now the country’s chancellor, calling for many more migrants to be turned back at Germany’s borders passed with the help of a far-right party.

Israel’s ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, said in a post on X that he had got to know Weinberg well and paid tribute to him as “a bridge — between past and present, between pain and hope, between the dead he could never forget and the young people whom he encouraged to seek the truth.”

Thai PM denies AI clip on Cambodia border reopening and confirms MOU 44 cancellation

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Khaosod English

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13 May 2026, 14:28

Thai PM denies AI clip on Cambodia border reopening

BANGKOK — 13 May 2026, Thai Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Anutin Charnvirakul, on Wednesday dismissed as artificial intelligence-generated a viral audio clip claiming the government planned to reopen border crossings with Cambodia, insisting that no crossings would be reopened.

Speaking at 11:00 at Military Air Terminal 2, Wing 6 Airport in Bangkok’s Don Mueang district, Anutin said the clip circulating on social media was fabricated.

“That is clearly AI. I do not speak that well,” Anutin told reporters. “Do not believe it. The methods being used are becoming more inappropriate every day. It is completely unreliable. I never said it, and there will definitely be no reopening of the border.”

Anutin was responding to questions about tensions between Thailand and Cambodia following Thailand’s cancellation of the 2001 memorandum of understanding, commonly known as MOU 44, concerning overlapping maritime claims.

Asked about posts by Cambodian Senate President, Hun Sen, urging Phnom Penh not to hold further bilateral negotiations with Thailand on maritime disputes, Anutin said the cancellation of MOU 44 was undertaken solely by Thailand. Do not need to seek permission from or report to anyone. Moreover, he had informed the Cambodian prime minister of Thailand’s decision during a meeting arranged on the sidelines of an ASEAN gathering in Cebu, Philippines, last week. Hun Sen acknowledged it and expressed disappointment, yet maintained his composed demeanor.

Anutin stated that the issue was raised during the meeting’s statements. Hun Sen confirmed that Cambodia would pursue compulsory conciliation mechanisms, while Thailand would proceed under the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS, adding that no format for future negotiations had yet been established, and Thailand was in no particular rush or distress regarding the matter.

Regarding Thai nationals reportedly detained by Cambodian soldiers and facing legal proceedings in Cambodia, Anutin said Thai authorities were coordinating assistance, which such incidents were minor in the past as Cambodian citizens have unintentionally crossed the border through natural routes or while fishing, and if investigations found they posed no threat to national security, authorities returned them. Hoping the same principle will apply to Thai citizens if they have not violated Cambodian law. He stressed that ordinary citizens should not become entangled in political disputes between governments.

On plans to construct additional border barriers, Anutin said the government is no longer the point of inquiry because it had already approved necessary funding and left implementation to security agencies overseeing different sections of the frontier, including the army, navy, and armed forces headquarters.

BMA faces 1.3 billion baht Chatuchak debt as appeal continues

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Khaosod English

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13 May 2026, 14:22

BANGKOK — 13 May 2026, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said it is continuing efforts to manage debt obligations and oversee operations at the Chatuchak Weekend Market, with outstanding payments owed to the State Railway of Thailand totalling 1.338 billion baht in unpaid land rental fees.

According to a source at Bangkok City Hall, the amount includes 672 million baht under a court ruling, consisting of 605.7 million baht in principal rent covering a period of three years, six months and 27 days, along with 66.4 million baht in interest calculated up to the filing date of 27 June 2022.

The BMA also faces additional interest charges of 5 percent on the principal amount, totalling 101.3 million baht, calculated from 27 June 2022 to 31 October 2025, as well as monthly compensation payments of 14.1 million baht from 1 July 2022 to 31 October 2025, amounting to another 564.7 million baht over three years and four months.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the administration maintains the principle that debts must be repaid once fair and accurate figures are agreed upon. He said the BMA has sufficient budget reserves, but the case remains under appeal as officials seek clarification on the final amount and request relief from interest accrued during the COVID-19 crisis.

Chadchart also said the BMA plans to return management of the market to the State Railway of Thailand, citing the administration’s lack of expertise in market operations. He added that the railway agency or the government could further develop the site into a “soft power gateway” to strengthen tourism in the future.

Earlier this year, BMA executives inspected the market to accelerate collection of overdue payments from vendors and improve the market’s financial management system ahead of a legal resolution and any future handover or new operating agreement.

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