SURAT THANI — 25 August 2026, Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasert has ordered authorities to step up investigations into suspected nominee businesses and other activities involving foreigners in Surat Thani, with scrutiny expanding to land ownership, hotels, businesses and foreign workers on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.
Worasit said on 25 August that authorities had moved beyond initial data screening and were now conducting on-the-ground inspections and legal proceedings.
He instructed agencies to link their databases, including the Department of Business Development, Land Department, Revenue Department, administrative authorities, labour officials and law enforcement agencies, to establish a complete picture of each case.
The aim, he said, is to determine which businesses are operating legally, which cases pose risks and which have evidence of violations requiring legal action.
According to data from Surat Thani province, there are 25,864 registered legal entities in the province. Of these, 11,721 have foreign shareholders, while 9,281 have foreign shareholders holding more than 49% of shares.
Koh Samui has 12,906 registered legal entities and Koh Phangan has 5,009, making the two islands key economic areas requiring closer scrutiny to ensure businesses comply with Thai law.
During the initial screening, the Surat Thani Provincial Commerce Office found 5,486 legal entities registered at the same addresses and 4,621 individuals holding shares in multiple companies.
Worasit stressed that these figures do not mean that all the entities or individuals have committed offences. Rather, the information will be used for further analysis and in-depth fact-checking by relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, Surat Thani Area Revenue Office 2 is investigating 110 cases that may involve the use of nominees or businesses operated by foreigners. Twelve cases have already been processed, while 98 remain under investigation.
The 12 completed cases involved a combined value of 7.538 million baht, demonstrating how information identified through initial screening is being used in actual tax and business investigations.
112 entities flagged over Koh Phangan land holdings
Worasit said authorities had also examined 1,832 legal entities holding land on Koh Phangan and identified 112 entities whose foreign shareholding ratios appeared to exceed the thresholds permitted by law.
The 112 entities collectively hold 124 land plots covering approximately 86 rai, 3 ngan and 42.4 square wah.
Of the 112 cases, 104 were newly identified, while eight had already been subject to court judgments.
Authorities have already ordered the disposal of land held by eight entities, covering nine plots. Another 28 cases are under consideration for disposal orders, while the Koh Phangan Land Office branch is compiling information on a further 76 cases for submission.
Worasit instructed provincial authorities and relevant agencies to speed up fact-checking and proceed according to the law, while monitoring each case to ensure that investigations do not remain merely as figures in reports.
Hotel and business inspections expanded
The crackdown is also being extended beyond land ownership to businesses and hotels.
Since 13 May, authorities have pursued multiple cases on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, ranging from cases where evidence is still being collected to those under consideration by prosecutors and cases in which arrest warrants have already been issued.
On 14 August, officials identified several locations on Koh Phangan for inspection, including hotels allegedly operating without the required licences, companies linked to the businesses and other establishments potentially violating the law.
The inspections were based on information gathered during the screening process and were intended to expand investigations based on evidence found on the ground.
Authorities are also monitoring foreign workers in Surat Thani. The province has issued work permits to 7,542 foreigners, including 4,101 on Koh Samui and 2,513 on Koh Phangan.
Legal action has been taken against 104 foreign workers for working without permits, working outside the scope of their permits or engaging in occupations reserved for Thai nationals. Authorities have also taken action against 46 employers and establishments.
Worasit said complaints and problems raised by residents must be followed through until there are tangible results.
“When an issue is brought to us, we must follow it up and see how far the process has progressed. If violations are found, legal action must be taken,” he said.
“At the same time, businesses operating legally must be treated fairly. We are not targeting foreign business operators, but we need clear rules so that those who comply with the law can operate with confidence.”
He said businesses using loopholes, nominees or otherwise violating the law must face investigation and legal proceedings on an equal basis.
“Authorities in the area must conduct genuine inspections, follow the evidence and see each case through to the end,” Worasit said, highlighting Koh Samui and Koh Phangan as important economic areas for Thailand.
“The goal is not simply to increase the number of cases, but to show what happens to the information uncovered — who is held accountable under the law and whether legitimate businesses receive fair treatment.”
