CHIANG MAI – Immigration police in Chiang Mai have arrested two Chinese nationals and a Thai woman for allegedly operating a hotel through an illegal nominee arrangement. The arrests, made on January 16, 2026, reflect a heightened crackdown on foreign-controlled businesses violating Thai ownership laws in the tourism sector.

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Acting on court warrants, officers raided a four-star hotel on Chang Klan Road in the city center. Those detained include Chinese investors Mr. Ma and Mr. Mi, and Thai national Ms. Jin, who is accused of serving as a nominee shareholder and manager. A fourth suspect, Ms. Ma—the Chinese wife of one of the investors—is believed to have fled to China and remains at large.

According to Pol. Lt. Col. Sutheethep Phonruenimit, the investigation began in August 2025. Authorities found that although management had changed on paper, effective control of the 22-room hotel remained with the Chinese investors. Thai law restricts foreign ownership and operation of certain businesses, including hotels.

Chiang Mai arrests Chinese hotel owners, Thai nominee

CHIANG MAI, 16 January 2026 — Immigration police in Thailand’s northern city of Chiang Mai have arrested two Chinese and a Thai woman accused of acting as a nominee in the illegal operation of a luxury hotel, while a third… pic.twitter.com/S7K9JLMfcV

— Khaosod English (@KhaosodEnglish) January 16, 2026

The company’s registered shareholding showed Ms. Jin holding 55.56% and the two Chinese men each holding 22.22%, with total capital of 4.5 million baht. Investigators allege this structure was used to disguise foreign control. Financial records indicated hotel revenues were channeled to the bank account of Ms. Ma, reinforcing suspicions of a nominee arrangement.

After a formal complaint was filed in November 2025, Chiang Mai Provincial Court issued arrest warrants on January 8, 2026. Maj. Gen. Sarawut Khon Yai, commander of Immigration Division 5, warned that nominee schemes are widespread in tourism and cause financial outflows while violating occupations reserved for Thai citizens.

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In a related case the same day, immigration officers arrested a Japanese man for working without a permit. He was selling homemade matcha ice cream near a temple in Hai Ya subdistrict after social media posts drew attention. The man, who held a non-immigrant O visa based on marriage, admitted to lacking a work permit and was transferred to Chiang Mai City police for legal action.

-Thailand News (TN)