Chinese Business Crackdown in Phuket; Couple Arrested in Luxury Villa
PHUKET — Provincial Police Region 8 has launched a significant crackdown on illegal foreign business operations across seven southern provinces, with damages estimated at over 1 billion baht ($29.6 million) in Phuket alone. The operation also led to the arrest of a Chinese couple suspected of living illegally in a luxury villa.
The crackdown focused on foreign nationals conducting business illegally in Thailand through nominee arrangements. The operation spanned across Phuket, Krabi, Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phang Nga, Ranong, and Surat Thani, targeting various illegal business activities.
In Phuket, Chinese nationals were found using Thai nominees to operate a wide range of businesses, including restaurants, an international school, hotels, car rental services, condominiums, and luxury villa developments, all valued at approximately 1 billion baht. Police seized 4.1 million baht ($121,290) in cash and raided accounting offices involved in document falsification.
Police Lieutenant General Surapong Thanomjit, Commander of Provincial Police Region 8, reported that on February 25, raids were carried out on 29 locations throughout the region, resulting in 23 arrests.
Meanwhile, Region 8 Police arrested a Chinese couple, Mr. Wang Zhongyu, 29, and Ms. Chun Chen, 31, on February 25 at their private villa in Chalong district. Officers discovered several luxury vehicles parked outside, including a Mercedes-Benz with special auction license plates and three new Toyota Alphards. The couple had no visible means of income to justify such assets.
Further investigation revealed that Wang had overstayed his visa by an astounding 1,317 days, while Chen had been banned from entering Thailand for five years and had re-entered illegally via Malaysia.
Both suspects were handed over to Chalong Police Station for further investigation. Mr. Wang faces charges for overstaying his visa, while Ms. Chen is charged with illegal entry and stay in the country.
The authorities are now expanding their investigation to uncover the couple’s involvement in the larger network of illegal foreign businesses targeted during the operation.
