Thai government moves to force sale of $417 million in land tied to foreign nominees

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the government is intensifying efforts to eliminate foreign ownership of Thai land that circumvents the ban by using local nominees. About 875 hectares, equivalent to 1,225 soccer fields and worth roughly 14 billion baht, are slated for forced sale, according to Department of Lands director-general Somchai Leelanoy. Officials must speed up high-risk case investigations and enforce existing laws by December.

The crackdown adds tighter background checks for buyers spending over 2 million baht or acquiring property valued above 5 million baht. Thai nationals married to foreigners will need to prove that purchase funds belong to the Thai spouse, while companies will face scrutiny of shareholders and funding sources.