Thai Authorities Crack Down on Foreign Nominees in Andaman Provinces Seize Over 1 Billion THB in Assets

Thai police seized assets exceeding 1 billion baht during a Phase 3 operation targeting foreign nominee networks in Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi. According to Daily News, 500 officers executed the raids on June 20, 2026, resulting in 59 arrest warrants and the recovery of 49 rai of land.

The operation focused on the Andaman coast to dismantle networks that allow foreign investors to illegally acquire land and real estate through Thai proxies. Thairath reported that the seizure included 49 rai of land with a total valuation surpassing 1 billion baht.

Police officials deployed 500 personnel to conduct simultaneous searches across the three southern provinces. Daily News stated that the operation led to the issuance of 59 arrest warrants for individuals suspected of facilitating these illegal ownership structures.

How many assets were seized in the Andaman crackdown?

Total seized assets across the operation are valued at more than 1 billion baht, according to reporting from Daily News and Thairath. A significant portion of these assets is concentrated in Krabi province.

Manager Online reported that the Krabi-specific raids resulted in the seizure of real estate and assets valued at 499 million baht. This figure indicates that the Krabi network accounts for nearly half of the total asset value recovered during the three-province operation.

The seized property includes 49 rai of land, which Thairath identified as a primary target of the “nominee” cleanup effort.

Who was targeted in the nominee network operation?

The operation targeted both the foreign investors providing the capital and the Thai nationals acting as nominees. Manager Online stated that 39 suspects were arrested in Krabi alone.

Daily News reported a broader scope of legal action, noting that 59 arrest warrants were issued in total across Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi. These warrants target individuals believed to be the architects of the nominee networks.

Police believe these networks are linked to foreign capital seeking to bypass Thai land ownership laws, which generally prohibit foreigners from owning land in their own names.

Why are nominee networks illegal in Thailand?

Nominee networks involve foreign nationals paying Thai citizens to register land, companies, or real estate in the Thai citizen’s name. This practice allows foreign investors to exercise effective control over assets they are legally barred from owning.

Authorities characterize this as a “cleanup” of illegal foreign influence over local real estate. The Phase 3 operation is part of a larger effort to reclaim land and ensure that foreign investment adheres to statutory ownership limits.

The scale of the June 20, 2026, operation suggests a shift toward higher-value targets, moving from individual cases to organized networks capable of managing assets worth hundreds of millions of baht.