**Legal Update for Foreigners in Phuket and Koh Samui: Crackdown on Nominees and Real Estate Ownership Intensifies**
Thailand is no longer the passive, tourism-driven paradise many foreigners have come to know. If you’re thinking about buying property in Thailand or looking to set up a company in Phuket, be warned: the legal landscape has shifted—dramatically. The era of loosely enforced laws and informal Thai nominee structures is over, replaced by aggressive investigations and harsh penalties.
Phuket, long favored by investors and expats, especially those from Russia and Europe, is now ground zero for sweeping investigations targeting foreign ownership schemes. The Thai government has launched a nationwide crackdown on illegal nominee arrangements—where Thai nationals act as fronts for foreign investors—to restore what officials call “economic sovereignty.”
And it’s not just about large foreign shareholders anymore. From September 2024 to May 2025, more than 857 illegal nominee businesses were prosecuted, with damages estimated at a staggering 15.3 billion baht (approx. USD 468 million). Investigations on nominees now extend to land ownership and company setups in tourism-heavy zones like Phuket and Koh Samui.
The consequences of ignoring these changes are severe: up to 3 years in prison, fines of 1 million baht, and daily penalties of 50,000 baht for continued violations. Legal amendments under consideration could allow Thai authorities to seize assets linked to violations under the Anti-Money Laundering Act—turning business missteps into financial nightmares.
If you’re planning to invest in Phuket, or already have, you must act now. Seeking proper legal advice in Thailand is not just smart—it’s essential. A qualified lawyer for foreigners in Thailand, can protect your assets and guide you through a compliant path to buying property or registering a company legally.
Don’t wait for the knock on the door. The Department of Business Development is reviewing over 47,000 businesses involved in real estate, tourism, e-commerce, and hospitality. Make sure yours isn’t on the list.
**Avoid costly mistakes. Avoid nominee traps. Protect your investment with real legal support.**
Source: The Thaiger
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**#lawyerinPhuket #legaladviceinThailand #setupcompanyinThailand #buyingpropertyinThailand #problemwithnominees #investinThailand **
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