Police will today oppose bail when they apply to extend the detention of 21 foreigners arrested in connection with the operations of nominee businesses on Koh Phangan in the Samui Provincial Court.
The arrests were part of a nationwide crackdown targeting foreigners illegally operating businesses through use of Thai nominees.
The operation led to the arrest of 21 foreign suspects and the seizure of 38 land title deeds worth about 200 million baht for examination.
The group comprises individuals of multiple nationalities including four Israelis, four French, three Russians and two Ukrainians. Others are from Africa, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Australia, Turkey, Germany and the Philippines, with one nationality undisclosed.
Police said on Sunday that investigators had denied the suspects release on bail.
Police said the operation expanded on evidence gathered during the searches of the five law offices earlier this month. Investigators identified 32 businesses suspected of using Thai nominees and obtained 45 arrest warrants for foreign directors linked to the firms.
A source said the investigation found that one company, FB Propertys Co, based on Koh Phangan, was operated by Israeli nationals. The company operated a yoga and food business under the name "The Yoga House Koh Phangan”.
The company, with registered capital of 5 million baht, was found to own eight blocks of land totalling about 7.5 rai and worth an estimated 60 million baht, excluding buildings.
Investigators said financial checks showed the registered Thai shareholder lacked the financial capacity to make the investments, which police said clearly indicated illegal nominee business activity.
