Officials have raided three locations in Pattaya and seized computers and documents linked to a suspected nominee scheme concealing foreign ownership of land and businesses.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI), Interior Ministry and police officers armed with warrants conducted searches to gather evidence concerning suspected violations of the Foreign Business Act 1999.

Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasit said the operation on Friday was an extension of earlier investigations on Koh Phangan and Koh Samui in Surat Thani and in Phuket.

Evidence gathered during those investigations indicated that Cosy Beach View Co Ltd in Chon Buri may have circumvented the law, leading investigators to seek warrants to search three locations.

At KT International Law and Business in Pattaya, officers found evidence indicating Thai employees of the law firm may have been listed as shareholders in Cosy Beach View on behalf of foreign beneficial owners. Documents were seized for further examination.

A second search at Shilat Avenue Pattaya Hotel found the hotel had hired the law firm to handle its registration and had listed law firm employees among its founders. A person with a background in an aluminium sales business in Samut Sakhon was also listed as a shareholder.

The third search targeted the Cosy Beach View condominium in Bang Lamung district, where an Israeli national was a company director. Its shareholding structure indicated Thai nationals had been used as nominees since 2010, investigators said.

The seized computers, documents and other materials will undergo forensic examination.

Justice Minister Rutthapon Naowarat said Thailand remained open to legitimate foreign investment but would take legal action against any Thai or foreign individuals found to have used nominee arrangements to circumvent the law.

The Cosy Beach View condominium in Bang Lamung district was one of three locations searched on Friday as part of a continuing investigation into possible nominee structures for property businesses in tourist destinations.