Phuket –
Chalong Police have uncovered an alleged nominee business arrangement by a Belarusian involving a motorcycle rental company, following an investigation that began with a local traffic accident.
The Chalong Police told the Phuket Express that investigators traced from a big bike motorbike accident back to a company operating a motorbike rental business in the Chalong area. Authorities allege that the business was effectively controlled by a Belarusian national who used Thai citizens as nominees to circumvent restrictions on foreign ownership.
Under Thai law, foreigners may hold up to 49 percent of shares in certain businesses, while Thai nationals must retain at least 51 percent. In this case, however, police found that the Thai shareholders had later transferred their shares to the foreign partner. The Thai nominees reportedly had no involvement in the company’s management or operations.
According to police findings, the Belarusian national ran the business independently, registering the company, managing rentals, and receiving payments directly. This arrangement, investigators say, undermines the intent of Thai investment laws designed to protect local participation in key industries.
Legal proceedings are expected to follow, as police continue to gather evidence on the company’s operations and financial transactions.
