SURAT THANI: The Royal Thai Police has intensified checks on foreigners on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan following the discovery of multiple legal violations, 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.
He said cracking down on crimes committed by foreigners that harm Thai citizens is a top priority for officials. Discovered violations have included nominee businesses, land encroachment and unauthorised work.
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.
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, 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.
