“Prime Minister” launches “Anti-Nominee” operation to investigate and address illicit land holdings by nominees

Today (19 October 2026), at 10:15 a.m. at the Santi Maitri Building (Inner Wing) within Government House, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul Prime Minister and Minister of Interior , presided over a press conference to launch the “Anti-Nominee Operation: Enforcing Land Disposal and Investigating High-Risk Land Holdings to Protect National Interests.” The event was organized by the Department of Lands under the Ministry of Interior and was attended by Deputy Minister of Interior Phonphi Suwannachawi, provincial governors, and land officials.

Based on recent findings, the Department of Lands in collaboration with relevant agencies and provincial-level nominee investigation committees has identified 1,397 cases involving nominees or individuals holding land on behalf of foreigners. These cases encompass 2,360 land plots covering 5,467 rai, with an estimated current value of 14.01 billion baht. Authorities will now move to enforce the disposal of these unlawfully held lands and pursue further legal action, including both civil and criminal proceedings.

During the announcement, Prime Minister Anutin reiterated the government’s firm commitment to cracking down on the practice of holding land on behalf of foreigners, a tactic used to circumvent Thai law. Land is a vital national resource; therefore, its ownership and utilization must be lawful, equitable, and free from opportunities for illicit exploitation practices that undermine the fair distribution of resources, national security, and public confidence in the rule of law. The government places high priority on preventing and suppressing "grey capital," illegal business activities, and networks of nominees. It commends the relevant agencies for their close, integrated collaboration, which has yielded tangible results for the public most notably in curbing the use of nominees to prevent the exploitation of the Thai people.

Mr. Anutin further stated that investigations must extend beyond the information of registered landowners or shareholders. They must encompass those who hold actual control, the ultimate beneficial owners, financial trails, assets, and all associated individuals, in order to take legal action against offenders and dismantle their broader networks. At the same time, Thailand welcomes foreign investment that is honest, transparent, and compliant with Thai law including the ownership or use of land as permitted under the Investment Promotion Act and other relevant legislation adhering to the principle of being "strict with offenders while fair to those who operate in compliance with the law."

Regarding the progress of the "LAND ACTION" operation, Mr. Anutin noted that the Prime Minister has emphasized that success is not measured merely by the number of cases uncovered; rather, it requires reaching a definitive resolution in each instance and ensuring that the law is effectively enforced. This mission cannot be carried out by any single agency alone; it necessitates inter-agency cooperation to cross-reference data concerning legal entities, shareholders, sources of funding, and the ownership and utilization of land, as well as the financial trails and the ultimate beneficial owners.

Mr. Anutin emphasized that the Department of Lands must fully exercise its authority regarding land ownership and the mandatory divestment of land. It should also coordinate with the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) to thoroughly verify all relevant rights and conditions. The Prime Minister has requested that all agencies integrate their efforts to achieve three key objectives:

1. Expedite the investigation of high-risk groups, reaching a definitive conclusion for each case. The Department of Lands and provincial governors are tasked with prioritizing cases, assigning clear responsibilities, establishing operational procedures, and setting defined timelines. If any links to "nominee" networks or other illicit activities are discovered, the cases must be promptly referred to the competent authorities for further action. The investigation of these high-risk groups must be completed by December 2026.

2. Enforce the divestment of land and conduct rigorous follow-ups. In instances where unlawful land ownership is identified, legal action must be taken. Furthermore, the transfer of ownership and related circumstances must be scrutinized to prevent the mere substitution of one nominee for another, which would leave the underlying issue unresolved.

3. Close loopholes for new nominees and establish long-term preventive systems. All agencies should utilize findings from this operation to improve monitoring systems—both before and after the registration of land rights and legal transactions. This includes tracking changes in shareholder structures and identifying patterns that could indicate land being held on behalf of foreign nationals. Concurrently, the authorities should communicate relevant regulations to the public and business operators, provide accessible channels for reporting suspicious activities, and regularly publish overall progress reports while ensuring the rights of the parties involved are respected and avoiding the disclosure of information that could compromise ongoing legal cases. Provincial governors and provincial land officials are instructed to implement these directives in their respective areas immediately.

Mr. Anutin emphasized that the government is firmly committed to addressing this issue in accordance with the principles of good governance prioritizing transparency, fairness, and the strict enforcement of the law. This approach aims to safeguard national interests, maintain public trust, and provide assurance to entrepreneurs and investors who conduct business honestly and in compliance with the law, following the principle of "focusing on conduct rather than specific names."

Subsequently, Mr. Anutin officially launched the operation, "Cracking Down on Nominees: Enforcing Land Divestment and Investigating High-Risk Land Holdings to Protect National Interests." He further urged all relevant agencies to collaborate in driving this mission to prevent and suppress the illicit holding of land ensuring that tangible results are achieved as soon as possible.