Thai Gov’t Reports 81.77% Drop in Foreign Nominee Firms
Govt spokesman Ekkapop Pianphet reports risk companies fell to 163 in Aug 2026, alongside AMLO seizing 8.26B baht from Yim Leak and Ben Smith networks.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Government reports an 81.77% drop in high-risk foreign nominee companies in Aug 2026.
- AMLO orders additional seizure of 34 assets linked to Yim Leak and Ben Smith networks.
- Newly seized assets in the financial crime case are valued at approximately 8.26 billion baht.
- Authorities stress strict and equal law enforcement with no special privileges for any nationality.
On September 10, 2026, Government Spokesman Ekkapop Pianphet addressed public concerns regarding foreign businesses illegally using Thai nationals as nominees, announcing that integrated government measures have yielded concrete results.
According to reports from the Department of Business Development, registrations of companies flagged as high-risk nominees dropped sharply. Data shows that in August 2026, such companies fell to just 163 firms, down from 894 firms in August 2025, marking an 81.77 percent decrease.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Regarding legal actions and anti-money laundering efforts, Ekkapop stated that the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) committee resolved to seize and freeze an additional 34 assets linked to the network of Yim Leak and Ben Smith, valued at roughly 8,269 million baht.
"Thai laws are enforced equally, and no nationality receives special privileges."
Ekkapop Pianphet
This latest round of asset seizures brings the total number of items seized and frozen in the Yim Leak and Ben Smith case to 102 items, with a cumulative estimated value of around 8,269 million baht, highlighting the administration's crackdown on illicit foreign capital.
The sharp 81 percent reduction in risky nominee companies within a single year points to tightened regulatory oversight by the Department of Business Development. Nonetheless, a key long-term challenge remains preventing illicit capital groups from shifting to more sophisticated nominee structures, requiring persistent data integration between AMLO and business regulators.
Source: Khaosod Politics
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