Phuket Police Investigate International School and Property Businesses in Nominee Crackdown

Police in Phuket have launched investigations into businesses connected to an international school in Rawai and a property company allegedly controlled by a French national as part of an ongoing crackdown on the use of nominee shareholders.

In the school-related case, investigators are examining two companies linked to the International School of Phuket (ISP). According to police, their ownership structures may have been used to conceal foreign control of the businesses.

Officers obtained court-issued search warrants and searched three locations, seizing documents and other materials for examination. A court has also issued an arrest warrant for a Russian national, while criminal proceedings have been initiated against an Estonian national. Police have not disclosed the names of either individual, and no announcement has been made confirming the Russian suspect's arrest. The exact dates of the searches have not been specified.

Investigation into property businesses

Police have also reported progress in a separate investigation involving a business engaged in property sales and rentals that is allegedly controlled by a French national.

Investigators suspect that four Thai nationals were listed as shareholders in four related companies despite allegedly contributing no personal funds or taking part in the management of the businesses. The arrangement is being examined as a possible nominee structure intended to conceal the companies' actual ownership and control.

Searches were conducted at two additional locations as part of this investigation. An arrest warrant has been issued for the French national, while police continue gathering evidence concerning other people who may have been involved in the suspected scheme.

Across both investigations, officers searched five locations and examined six companies. The combined value of the businesses is provisionally estimated at more than 100 million baht.

Phuket police chief Major General Surachai Suksai reiterated the authorities' position that the province remains open to legitimate investment but will not tolerate the use of nominee arrangements to circumvent Thai law.

The latest searches form part of a wider, months-long campaign targeting companies suspected of using Thai nominees to conceal foreign business control. International schools in Rawai and Chalong have also been subject to similar inspections during 2026.

The investigations are ongoing, and the allegations have not yet been established in court.