Chonburi Police Raid 12 Sites in Foreign Nominee Crackdown
Chonburi police raided 12 locations in Bang Lamung, dismantling a foreign nominee network that used Thai citizens to illegally hold land and luxury homes worth over 800 million baht. Authorities seized more than 100 computers, detained three Chinese nationals, and identified 85 suspects across 12 companies and 16 land parcels. The Land Department will pursue forced sales if ownership violations are confirmed.
Chonburi police raided 12 locations in Bang Lamung at 6:00 a.m. on October 21, 2026. Pol. Col. Chatree Sukkiri, Chonburi Provincial Police Commander, led officers from Bang Lamung and Nong Prue stations, investigation and special operations units, along with Chonburi Commercial Affairs and Land Department officials, executing search warrants from Pattaya Provincial Court. The operation targeted a foreign network suspected of using Thai nominees to hold land and real estate.
One searched site was a luxury house on approximately 1.2 rai in Ruam Suk 12 Alley, Nong Prue. Three Chinese men who had entered Thailand on October 17 were found with over 100 sets of computer equipment still being assembled. Officials seized the equipment for inspection on suspicion of illegal activity. A bank account belonging to one Chinese man showed monthly turnover of about 200,000 baht, which he claimed was house rental income.
Document checks revealed the house and land were held in the name of a company whose shareholders were all Chinese nationals. Authorities are investigating potential violations of foreign land ownership laws.
Across all 12 sites, 12 companies, 11 residences, and 16 land parcels totaling approximately 50 rai were identified, with assets valued over 800 million baht. A total of 85 suspects, both Thai and foreign nationals, face legal action. Officials are gathering evidence and taking further statements.
Land Department officials stated that if illegal land ownership is confirmed, legal action will follow, including forced sale of the land within 180 days. They will closely monitor title transfers to prevent nominees from being swapped back to hold the assets again.
