A major crackdown on nominee businesses in Pai has exposed a network of foreign-owned companies using Thai nationals as fronts to conceal illegal operations.
The operation, titled ‘Pai City Protection’, was launched at 9.30am on June 5, led by Police Lieutenant General Kritthapol Yisakhon alongside Mae Hong Son deputy governor Niwat Ngamthara. The task force targeted two companies with foreign shareholders and inspected five business locations, scrutinising work permits and business registrations.
The operation followed complaints from locals about foreigners conducting businesses or taking job opportunities from the Thai population.
Kritthapol said investigators found foreigners registering companies under Thai names to hide real ownership or setting up businesses without genuine operations.
Investigations found companies whose shareholders included both Thai nationals and foreigners acting as nominees, in violation of the Alien Business Act. One company involved Thai nationals Jinda and Nattanon, leading to an arrest warrant for Gal Goren and charges against Jinda. A second company was found to have foreign shareholders without valid work permits.
Investigators also found the companies had submitted false documentation to exploit non-immigrant (Non-B) visas and concealed land ownership to evade legal scrutiny.
Mae Hong Son provincial police are now working with relevant agencies to expand the investigation and clamp down on similar practices across the area.
The public is encouraged to report nominee businesses operated by foreigners or any other unlawful activities. Individuals whose names have been used in company registrations as nominees are warned they may also face legal consequences, reported KhaoSod.
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