PHUKET: Thailand is stepping up enforcement action against networks of foreign proxies suspected of operating in Phuket, Phang Nga, Surat Thani and Krabi after authorities inspected 89 plots of land worth more than one billion baht (over US$3 million) recently.
A total of 15 Israelis were among 67 foreigners detained by Thai police in an operation aimed at curbing the illegal control of land and businesses by foreigners in the country's major tourist destinations.
Thai police said in a statement that the operation in the four provinces resulted in the detention of 96 individuals, including 29 locals.
"The foreign nationals who were issued arrest warrants comprised 15 Israelis, six French nationals, four Russians, two Poles, two Swiss nationals, two South Africans, two Britons, two Dutch nationals, two Ukrainians, one Slovak, one Australian, one Filipino and one Turkish national," the statement said on Thursday.
The operation, which was carried out in three phases, targeted foreigners who used Thai nationals as nominees or proxies to hold shares and land ownership on their behalf, as well as cracking down on individuals working without valid permits.
Thai police said the operation involved investigations into 172 plots of land covering 51.38 hectares, with an estimated value of 1.671 billion baht.
The authorities are also tracking down companies acting as nominees for land purchase and ownership transactions, which is an offence under the Thailand Land Code. - Bernama
