Thai Authorities Crack Down on Nominee Businesses Using Foundations

The Thai Department of Business Development (DBD) and the Ministry of Interior have announced a joint initiative to combat 'nominee' business practices, where foreign entities illegally control Thai companies or land. According to Khaosod Online, officials have identified cases where foundations are being used as fronts to receive foreign donations for the purpose of purchasing land in Thailand. Kittiwat Patchimanon, Director-General of the DBD, stated that the agencies are integrating data to monitor corporate structures, shareholder identities, and land ownership records. Key areas of focus include the hotel industry and industrial waste management facilities, particularly in Prachin Buri province, where potential foreign-funded irregularities have been detected. For residents and travelers, this crackdown aims to enforce existing land and business ownership laws, which may lead to increased scrutiny of corporate entities and property holdings. While the government is actively screening high-risk companies and sharing data across departments, the full extent of these nominee networks and the specific legal consequences for those involved remain under investigation. Authorities are currently cross-referencing hotel licenses and corporate registrations to identify entities that may be operating in violation of Thai law.