‘Gone too far’: Thai PM Anutin slams foreign lawbreakers as backlash builds

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has strongly criticized foreigners engaging in illegal activities in Thailand, describing the recent spate of scandals as "going too far." The PM's government is taking action to close legal loopholes and deter such transgressions, including halving the visa-free entry period to 30 days and accelerating deportation proceedings for criminals.

Authorities have also intensified efforts to curb "nominee" businesses that use Thai citizens as paper owners of companies, aiming to tighten rules that allow foreign nationals to purchase citizenship and own land restricted to Thais. Recent scandals involving Israelis running nominee businesses on southern islands, as well as a Jewish cemetery in eastern Chachoengsao province, have sparked public outrage and street protests.

Anutin emphasized that foreigners should not come to Thailand and exploit its resources, stating that if they do come, they must engage in honest business and return their dead to their own countries. The government is also working on amending the nationality law to address legal loopholes that have been exploited by foreigners to launder money through illicit businesses.

The crackdown is being closely monitored by nationalist hardliners who have organized protests against foreign transgressions and corruption.