The joint operation included the Region 8 Police, led by Pol. Lt. Gen. Surapong Thanomjit, and Phuket Provincial Police, headed by Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum.
Officers from the Tourist Police Division, Immigration Bureau, Department of Business Development, Department of Tourism, and the Forensic Science Institute also joined the raid.
The operation targeted Phuket Best Accounting Co Ltd, located in the Phuket Goldenville The Space housing estate off Phra Phuket Rd along with two other related sites, one an address also in The Space estate and the other a residential address at the Phuket Rock Garden housing estate in Ratsada.
Mr Taweewat said the case had been under DSI investigation as a special case since late last year, based on strong evidence suggesting the company was registering businesses for foreign nationals in violation of the Foreign Business Act of 1999, causing significant economic harm.
During the raids, officers seized documents and communication devices containing financial information linked to foreign nationals, which will be used to further investigate foreign investors involved in money laundering schemes, he said.
During the raids the offices found documentation confirming the creation of companies for foreign nationals from Russia, Pakistan and India, with financial transactions ranging from B200-300 million with ties to real estate, hospitality and restaurants.
In its report of the raids, the DSI said that the joint task force has expanded its investigation to seven additional locations. These sites were associated with foreign nationals using nominee companies to operate tourism businesses illegally.
The Department of Tourism identified violations under the Tourism Business and Guide Act of 2008, leading to the immediate revocation of tourism business licenses for five companies.
Further investigations may result in revoking the licenses of over 10 more companies connected to this network, the DSI noted
The operation was carried out in line with the policy of DSI Acting Director-General Pol Lt Col Yutthana Praedum to target key offenders. The DSI’s Security Case Division is gathering intelligence on networks of legal advisory and accounting firms in Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai, the DSI added.
The ongoing efforts aim to dismantle these networks and prosecute foreign investors using illicit funds for money laundering through nominee businesses, the DSI report said.