Phuket—
Provincial authorities in Phuket have launched a major operation against illegal hotel businesses, raiding a large property in Patong that was allegedly secretly controlled by a Russian national using Thai nominees as a front.
Officials told the Phuket Express that the raid was carried out at 4:00 p.m. under the direction of Governor Nirut Phongsithithavorn, Deputy Governor Adul Chuthong, Provincial Secretary Rungreung Thimabut, and Provincial Defense Chief Danai Suksakul, targeted a hotel on Phang Muang Sai Kor Road in Kathu District. The operation was conducted by a special task force from the Phuket Provincial Administration in coordination with police and related agencies.
Authorities acted on complaints from local residents who alleged that foreign investors were illegally running hotel businesses in one of Phuket’s most important tourist zones.
Findings from the Raid
• The property was operating as a hotel without a valid license.
• Investigations revealed that the real owner and operator was a Russian national, who used Thai nominees to lease the building and manage the business on paper.
• The hotel offered 83 rooms, many of which were advertised on major international booking platforms to attract foreign tourists.
Provincial Secretary Rungreung Thimabut explained that the crackdown is part of a broader campaign to protect Thai livelihoods and safeguard Phuket’s tourism image.
Authorities have arrested those involved and filed charges for operating a hotel without authorization. The case is now being expanded to investigate nominee arrangements, which could lead to criminal prosecution, administrative penalties, and even company deregistration if evidence of concealed ownership is confirmed.
Authorities, however, withheld the name of the hotel pending investigation into owners and potential nominees.
