The Royal Thai Police (RTP) has intensified checks on foreigners on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan following the discovery of multiple legal violations, including nominee businesses, land encroachment and unauthorised work, deputy national police chief Pol Gen Samran Nuanma has announced.
Pol Gen Samran chaired a high-level meeting focused on preventing and suppressing illegal foreign activities in Surat Thani on Monday. Attendees included Surat Thani deputy governor Bandarn Sathirachawal, head of the provincial task force on foreign law enforcement, and representatives from related agencies.
He said cracking down on crimes committed by foreigners that harm Thai citizens is a top priority for the government and the RTP. Offenders, collaborators and any complicit officials would face legal action, he vowed.
The National Police Chief has directed the task force to enforce the law strictly, transparently and continuously to restore public confidence among residents and visitors, Pol Gen Samran added.
Responding to concerns from the private sector about negative media coverage affecting tourism, he stressed that preventive and enforcement operations must be clearly communicated. Law-abiding foreigners and tourists would be treated fairly and not subjected to harassment or illicit demands, he said.
Immigration officers and Region 8 Provincial Police have been instructed to review visa renewal records and irregular registrations across the southern provinces. Inspections will target suspicious transactions rather than specific nationalities and will be coordinated with other provincial agencies.
The meeting also reviewed ongoing investigations and arrests of foreigners involved in unlicensed car rentals, unauthorised tour operations and other unlawful business activities on both islands.
Authorities will expand inspections into land ownership, nominee structures and misuse of state land, and verify building permits, construction projects and demolitions.
Pol Col Apisan Chairat, Superintendent of Division 5 under the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division (NED), reported that investigations are underway against several foreigners, including Israeli nationals, accused of altering land, removing rock formations and constructing villas within protected forest zones.
Authorities are also examining complaints about private parties allegedly held on leased land inside Than Sadet Waterfall National Park.
Pol Col Apisan said prosecutions are being advanced under the “Samui Model” initiative, which targets land encroachment and environmental violations.