Surat Thani Authorities Investigate 112 Entities Over Land Ownership on Koh Phangan

On August 25, 2026, Deputy Minister of Interior Worasit Liangprasert announced an intensified crackdown on illegal foreign business practices in Surat Thani province, specifically targeting Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. According to Khaosod Online, authorities are currently scrutinizing 112 legal entities on Koh Phangan that are suspected of acting as nominees for foreign interests in land, hotel, and business ownership.

This initiative involves a cross-departmental effort, linking data from the Department of Business Development, the Land Department, the Revenue Department, and labor authorities. The goal is to move beyond simple list verification to a comprehensive audit of business operations. Officials reported that out of 25,864 legal entities in Surat Thani, 11,721 have foreign shareholders, with 9,281 of those having foreign ownership stakes exceeding 49 percent.

For residents and travelers, this investigation highlights a significant push by the Thai government to enforce regulations regarding foreign business and land ownership. While the government is actively auditing these entities, it remains to be confirmed which specific businesses will face legal action and how these findings might impact the local tourism and real estate sectors. Authorities have emphasized that any entity found to be in violation of the law will face formal legal proceedings. Further updates are expected as the inter-agency investigation progresses.