Photo: Markus Winkler / Pexels
Thailand's Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, has launched a nationwide campaign called "STOP Nominee" to find foreigners who illegally own land through Thai nominees. Provincial governors and land officials have until the end of December 2026 to identify suspected cases. The findings are meant to lead to legal action, including revoking title deeds. Ordinary tourists, short-term renters and hotel guests are not the target.
What was announced
Anutin announced the campaign at Government House in Bangkok on Monday 19 October 2026. He launched it by pressing a symbolic button. Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee, who oversees the Department of Lands, attended. Anutin also addressed provincial governors by video conference and said the government backs them in carrying out the order.
The order and the deadline
Provincial governors and land officials must identify foreigners suspected of illegally owning land through nominees by the end of December 2026. Officials are to look past the names on title deeds to find the real owners or beneficiaries. The findings are meant to lead to legal action, including revoking title deeds.
Possible penalties
The article lists several possible consequences:
- Forced sale of the land, which would stop it being passed from one nominee to another.
- Revoking the foreigners' right to remain in Thailand, including deportation.
- Revoking Thai citizenship, for naturalised nominees.
- Money laundering and tax evasion action.
- Asset forfeiture.
The numbers so far
Department of Lands Director-General Somchai Leelanoi gave these figures from the initial investigation:
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Parties with suspicious land ownership | 13,088 |
| Companies allegedly involving illegal foreign shareholding | 1,550 |
| Parties suspected of holding land on behalf of foreigners | 11,538 |
| Land that forced sales could cover | 5,467 rai (about 8.75 km²) |
| Estimated combined value | 14.01 billion baht |
Enforcement earlier this month
Earlier in October 2026, authorities raided 17 locations at four luxury housing estates in Bangkok. Eleven suspects were arrested, including Chinese nationals. Assets worth more than 6 billion baht were seized.
What the PM said
Paraphrasing Anutin's remarks:
- The people behind these schemes are mostly influential figures, not ordinary people, but the government's power exceeds theirs.
- Land is a key national resource. Ownership must be lawful and fair. Illegal nominee holdings threaten national security and public confidence in state authority.
- Thailand still welcomes foreign investors who are honest, transparent, follow Thai law and respect Thai people's rights.
What this means for visitors and residents
The article does not mention tourists. The crackdown targets illegal land ownership through nominees, not visitors. Ordinary tourists, short-term renters and hotel guests are not affected.
The points below are inferences from the article, not statements in it:
- Foreign long-stayers, residents and investors whose property is structured through Thai nominees, or through companies with disguised foreign shareholding, are exposed. They face possible deportation.
- Legitimate arrangements do not appear to be targeted, since the PM said honest, compliant foreign investors are welcome.
- There may be more scrutiny of property purchases and company structures in tourist areas, and some uncertainty in resort and villa markets.
Information sourced from Bangkok Post.