Пхукет. Фото: pixabay.com
Thai police have detained two Belarusian citizens suspected of running an illegal car rental business on the island of Phuket. According to investigators, their activities were linked to a number of road traffic accidents involving foreign drivers, AseanNow reported.
The investigation was prompted by several accidents involving vehicles rented from the same outlet on Saiyuan Street. Checks revealed that customers could obtain cars without presenting valid driving licences, while the business itself operated without the required permit.
A raid in the Rawai area was carried out by Chalong police. Authorities believe the company was formally registered in the names of Thai nationals. Such schemes are used to circumvent restrictions on foreign business activity in the kingdom.
The detainees have been charged with conducting business activities without authorisation and with using nominal Thai owners, which is prohibited under Thai law.
The case is seen as another signal to foreign entrepreneurs about legal restrictions on doing business in Thailand. Authorities are continuing the investigation to determine how widespread the practice is in the region.
The Bangkok Post reported that the case could lead to tighter enforcement and preventive measures aimed at curbing unauthorised activities by foreign enterprises in Thailand.
According to Hey Thailand News, the raid was part of a large-scale campaign against so-called “nominee” companies registered in the names of Thais but effectively run by foreigners. Over the past two years, police have recorded hundreds of cases of car and motorcycle seizures linked to foreigners.
The outlet said the Belarusian couple used messaging apps to organise daily rentals, collected payments in cryptocurrency and cash, and did not check for international driving permits. At least seven accidents, including a New Year’s Eve incident that resulted in the hospitalisation of a Thai motorcyclist, involved vehicles rented through the firm.
The authors note that the case is not an isolated one. Since 2024, dozens of illegal rental outlets linked to nationals of Russia, China, Israel and other countries have been uncovered on the island.