The Deputy Commander of the Royal Thai Police, Surachate “Big Joke” Hakpark, announced plans to crackdown on unlawful businesses in Chiang Mai, that are believed to have Chinese nationals behind them. Big Joke revealed the crackdown operation would start within a week and give attention to five to 6 companies.
During a press conference at Chiang Mai Provincial Police Office yesterday, Big Joke disclosed that plots of land, approximately 300 to 400 rai (480,000 to 640,000 square meters) in dimension, have been purchased by Chinese businesses.
These lands are located in San Kampaeng, Hang Dong, and San Patong districts and are supposed to be transformed into illegal companies like housing estates, retail outlets, factories, and personal colleges.
The companies could be operated by Thai nominees, with Chinese nationals behind them, to avoid high taxes. Additionally, the colleges would offer pupil visas to Chinese nationals, permitting them to remain in Thailand longer.
Big Joke urged the related departments, including Chiang Mai Provincial Commerce Department, Immigration Bearue, Revenue Department, and Lands Department, to investigate and collect proof by March 10. Index said…
“The law should be the regulation. By March 10, we must know the identities of the suspects. I want to tell these companies that have been operated underneath the Thai nominees to stop. If not, you will be prosecuted. Locals in Chiang Mai who have useful information should notify the officers.”
Big Joke continued talking concerning the former foundations and immigration authorities that offered a special dispensation to Chinese companies saying…
“We have prosecuted over one hundred officers from the Immigration Bureau, from the high-ranking officers to operation employees. We additionally closed down nine foundations that took Chinese citizens as volunteer members for those Chinese individuals to increase their visas and function unlawful companies in Thailand like on-line gambling websites, nightclubs, and bars. We will hand the evidence to the National Anti-Corruption Commission and prosecute them regardless of whether they have been enterprise owners, nominees, or basis founders.”
Kom Chad Luek reported the real estate state of affairs in Chiang Mai to the President of the Chiang Mai Real Estate Association, Non Hirunshadesakun.
Non explained that Chinese nationals had been buying homes and lodging in Chiang Mai for greater than 10 years, owning over 1,000 units of housing estates in the province. Each home was value 3 million baht or over which made the total value to three to five billion baht.
Besides shopping for homes, Non stated that Chinese traders had purchased several plots of land and invested in actual estate building utilizing Thai nominees. Over 20 housing estate projects in the province have been owned by Chinese traders.
Non urged the federal government to take this problem significantly, emphasizing that Thai nationals may have to hire homes from foreigners if the state of affairs is not addressed..