Sri Racha News Center — The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has joined forces with the Central Institute of Forensic Science and the Chonburi Provincial Police to launch search operations at three target locations in the Pattaya City area and Bang Lamung District, expanding an investigation into a suspected scheme using Thai nationals as "nominees" to hold shares and operate businesses on behalf of foreigners. The operation examines connections between companies and assets valued at hundreds of millions of baht, and electronic devices and key documents have been seized for examination.
Today (21 Aug.), Police Lieutenant General Rutthaphon Naowarat, Minister of Justice; Mr. Atthit Siangprasit, Deputy Minister of Interior; and Mr. Naris Niramаiwong, Governor of Chonburi Province, together with Police Sub-Lieutenant Witsanu Chimtrakun, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation, led DSI forces combined with the Central Institute of Forensic Science and Chonburi Provincial Police in searching three target locations under criminal court search warrants.
The operation is an expansion of the investigation into the use of nominees in the Pattaya City area and Bang Lamung District under offences pursuant to the Foreign Business Act 1999. The DSI is pursuing Special Case No. 135/2026 concerning Cozy Beach View Co., Ltd. and associates, which are suspected of evading or violating the law.
The first location: officers searched a law office in Pattaya City suspected of involvement in the registration of Cozy Beach View Co., Ltd. by bringing Thai nationals in to hold shares on behalf of foreigners who may be the true beneficial owners. A large volume of documents and evidence relating to corporate registration was initially found, and investigators are currently examining its links to the alleged offences.
The second location: Cozy Beach View Co., Ltd., situated in Nong Prue Sub-district, Bang Lamung District, which has a shareholder structure comprising both foreigners and Thai nationals. The DSI is in the process of investigating whether certain Thai nationals hold shares as nominees for foreigners, and is also examining connections to other companies within the network, after information emerged that the associated legal entities and assets are worth hundreds of millions of baht.
The third location: the Shilat Avenue Pattaya hotel, where links were found in terms of corporate registration and shareholder structure to the companies currently under investigation. Officers are urgently gathering evidence to establish the relationships among the individuals, juristic persons, and assets involved.
During the searches, officers collected business documents, communications data, and various items of evidence, and also seized or placed holds on certain electronic devices and computer systems for forensic examination and further development of the case.
The DSI stated that it will move swiftly to expand the investigation to all individuals and legal entities implicated by the evidence, and that if criminal conduct is found, full legal action will be taken. The DSI also stressed that the case is currently still under investigation and evidence-gathering, and that all parties involved are entitled to fairness under due process until a final verdict is reached.
