CHIANG MAI – Immigration officers report they uncovered a 22-room, four-star hotel in the city center that was quietly run through a nominee setup, with profits allegedly transferred back to China.
On Friday, Chiang Mai Immigration, led by Pol. Capt. Sutheerathep Phonruenimit, acting inspector of Chiang Mai Immigration, executed arrest warrants issued by the Chiang Mai Provincial Court on January 8, 2026.
Immigration officers arrested Mr. MA and Mr. MI, both Chinese nationals described as investors, along with Ms. Jin, a Thai woman. All three were found at a four-star hotel in the Chang Khlan Road area of Mueang Chiang Mai District.
Police said the two Chinese suspects face an initial charge of operating a business without permission. Ms. Jin is accused of assisting and supporting the business as a representative or acting as a nominee.
Authorities said the case began after a tip was received in August 2025. The information alleged that the 22-room hotel was being managed by Chinese nationals through a Thai shareholder.
Investigators reported the listed shareholding structure as follows:
- Ms. Jin: 55.56%
- MR. MA: 22.22%
- MR. MI: 22.22%
Police stated the registered investment value was 4.5 million baht.
According to officers, Ms. Jin was listed as having management authority starting July 3, 2024. Later, management was changed to Mr. MA and Mr. MI beginning March 24, 2025. On August 29, 2025, management was switched back to Ms. Jin again, which authorities described as suspicious.
During a financial review, officers said the hotel had 400,000 baht in room-stay income, plus another 1.5 million baht from agents or agencies. Investigators said the funds were deposited into the bank account of Ms. MA, identified as Mr. MA’s wife.
Based on the documents and transaction path, authorities said they believe the suspects were acting on behalf of another party, fitting a nominee arrangement that violates Thai investment rules.
Immigration Arrest Warrants
Chiang Mai Immigration reported filing a complaint with investigators at Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station on November 14, 2025. Officers said they then gathered witness statements, documents, financial records, and other evidence before seeking arrest warrants for four people.
Police said they arrested three suspects, while Ms. MA allegedly fled back to China. Authorities said they will continue legal steps to bring her in for prosecution.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Sarawut Khon Yai, commander of Immigration Division 5, said officers believe similar violations exist in multiple locations, often linked to tourism-related businesses. He said investigations can take time because officers must collect enough evidence.
He also warned Thai nationals not to act as nominees for foreign investors. He said foreigners can do business in Thailand through legal channels, but nominee setups can cause money to flow out of the country and may violate laws, especially in jobs and businesses reserved for Thai citizens.
In a separate operation, Chiang Mai Immigration investigators, working with the Chiang Mai Employment Office, inspected a business in Hai Ya Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Mai District. Officials said they acted after public posts on social media claimed a foreigner was running a homemade matcha ice cream shop.
Authorities said they found one Japanese man using a Non-Immigrant O visa (based on marriage to a Thai spouse). Officers said he did not have a work permit and charged him with working as a foreign national without a permit. He was sent to Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station along with seized items for legal action.
