Bangkok:The government is intensifying its efforts to address "nominee" schemes, marking it as one of the nine urgent missions of the Ministry of Commerce. This initiative aims to strictly regulate illegal capital while ensuring that legitimate investors are not adversely affected.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, Ms. Lalida Periswiwatana, announced the government's move to foster transparent and fair trade competition. Under the supervision of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Ms. Supajee Suthamphan, the Ministry of Commerce has prioritized the prevention and suppression of illegal businesses and goods as part of its urgent missions. This includes combating the use of Thai nationals as nominees for foreign capital's illegal business activities.
The government's approach involves expanding existing measures and is not a new initiative. Since August 1, 2026, investigations have widened from the establishment of a legal entity to include structural changes post-registration, such as shifts in shareholders or directors. This is to ensure risk monitoring throughout a legal entity's lifecycle.
Applicants meeting specific criteria must provide detailed investment information and financial evidence to verify the source and capability of their investment funds. Each case will be considered individually, ensuring that being flagged as high-risk does not imply wrongdoing or nominee status, especially if foreign shareholders are within legal limits. Officials are tasked with verifying facts and evidence to prevent legal action against legitimate businesses while closing loopholes in legal structures.
The initiative is not limited to the Ministry of Commerce. It involves cooperation among 23 agencies, which signed a memorandum of understanding on April 29, 2026, to support data integration and authority exercise, facilitating information transfer for investigation and legal action when needed.
The crackdown on illegal capital is paired with facilitating legitimate business operations. The Department of Business Development launched the e-Foreign Business system on August 1, 2024, enabling online applications for foreign business licenses, thus enhancing convenience. However, approval is still subject to legal and regulatory considerations.
The government aims to create a fair business environment, allowing legitimate investors to operate confidently while investigating those using nominees or unregulated structures to bypass the law. Risk-based screenings and multi-agency cooperation aim to target investigations effectively without hindering honest investments. The ongoing efforts focus on early screening and monitoring changes post-registration, collaborating with relevant agencies to mitigate risks and foster confidence among legitimate businesses in Thailand.