Thai police have raided foreign-owned companies on the island of Koh Samui suspected of using Thai citizens as straw owners to illegally hold land and businesses, as authorities investigate thousands of registered companies.

As part of an examination of approximately 12,900 registered companies, authorities identified dozens of firms holding assets estimated to be worth between 1.2 billion and 1.5 billion baht, Kan News reported.

One network identified in the investigation includes 19 companies linked to Israelis, which are suspected of operating unlicensed kindergartens and conducting real estate transactions involving luxury villas. Authorities have opened approximately 60 cases against 88 suspects, including 62 foreign nationals, and arrest warrants have been issued.

The investigation follows a separate raid in May on an illegal childcare facility on the Thai island of Koh Phangan, where authorities found 89 Israeli children. The facility was reportedly authorized to accommodate no more than 18 children between the ages of two and five, but authorities found children ranging in age from two to 12.

The facility was operated by an Iranian couple and a Thai citizen and employed foreign workers in violation of Thai law.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)