Search
Close this search box.

Government Implements Stricter Registration Measures to Combat Ghost Juristic Persons

Bangkok: The government is advancing with stringent measures to prevent ghost juristic persons from deceiving the public, aiming to safeguard citizens and eliminate fraudulent entities. Mr. Karom Polpornklang, the deputy government spokesman, announced that the Department of Business Development under the Ministry of Commerce has drafted an order requiring additional documentation for new juristic person registrations or office location changes. This includes proof of consent from property owners, such as a lease agreement or homeowner's letter of consent, to use the location as an office.

According to Thai News Agency, a public hearing will be conducted to gather feedback from stakeholders on the draft order, which is expected to be finalized within a month, followed by legal enforcement. To facilitate public involvement, a system will be established within two weeks for individuals to verify if their address has been used without consent as a juristic person's office. If unauthorized use is detected, citizens can report it to the Department, the provincial commerce office, or via the email cgbusiness@dbd.go.th (Bangkok only) or hotline 1570.

Mr. Karom further stated that the Department of Business Development will collaborate with Thailand Post Co., Ltd. to verify the actual locations of registered juristic persons. This inspection will include photographing the site and pinning it on Google Maps. If discrepancies are found between the registered and actual locations, a warning note stating 'No real location' will be added to the certificate, cautioning potential business partners. Violators will face legal consequences, including fines up to 20,000 baht and potential charges under Section 137 of the Criminal Code for providing false information, which could lead to a six-month imprisonment or a fine up to 10,000 baht.

Moreover, the Department will enforce strict registration protocols for individuals listed on the HR-03 list by the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO). Such individuals will be required to present themselves for verification when registering a juristic person or being named as a partnership manager or company director. Failure to comply will result in registration denial, and the information will be forwarded to the Online Crime Operations Center (AOC) for further action. Although using the same address for multiple companies is currently legal, the Department is developing the Intelligence Business Analytic System (IBAS) to analyze juristic person behavior and alert the public to potential risks.