PM Anutin flew into Phuket International Airport before travelling directly to Bang Tao Beach in Cherng Talay, where authorities are investigating the latest alleged encroachment on public land and protected coastal areas.
The Prime Minister’s visit followed mounting complaints over businesses and structures occupying government land, including sections built directly on the beach itself, amid allegations that corruption and local influence had allowed illegal operations to continue despite previous enforcement action.
Last month, Phuket officials cleared restaurant furniture, temporary structures and commercial seating areas from the beachfront sand at Bang Tao after finding operators had extended businesses onto public land. Authorities confirmed the sandy beachfront remained state land reserved for public use, even where businesses behind the beach operated legally on titled land.
Provincial officials also confirmed they had reclaimed more than five rai of beachfront land and identified at least 16 restaurants and related structures during the operation, amid allegations that investors had fenced off sections of public beach land and profited from subleasing areas to operators.
“There must be no influential figures or mafia,” Mr Anutin declared during the inspection.
“I will find every possible way to solve your problems,” he added.
Officials said the visit was aimed at following up on the government’s efforts to reclaim public land and protected natural resources for public use, while reinforcing the state’s commitment to law enforcement in Phuket.
The Prime Minister, who also serves as Interior Minister, said authorities would not tolerate people using influence, intimidation or unlawful control over public land for personal gain.
“There are two things I prioritise,” he said.
“First, there must be no influential figures. Second, those who bully weaker people must not be tolerated. State officials cannot accept this.”
The latest investigation at Bang Tao centres on allegations that operators illegally constructed restaurants, shops and permanent structures on land classified as protected forest and public beachfront land under the Forest Act.
Authorities confirmed that dozens of structures had already been targeted for legal action after officials found buildings occupying land where ownership documents cannot legally be issued.
The issue has become one of Phuket’s most controversial disputes, involving accusations that influential figures profited from public land while ordinary residents and small operators were left vulnerable.
Large groups of residents and business operators gathered to meet the Prime Minister during the visit, with some seeking protection and others asking the government to help honest tenants who claimed they had unknowingly rented land illegally occupied by others.
Anutin insisted the crackdown was not intended to destroy livelihoods, but to restore public access and lawful management of beach areas.
“Public beaches belong to the people,” he said, adding that the government would seek legal solutions allowing legitimate operators to continue working without harming natural resources or blocking public access.
During the visit, the Prime Minister repeatedly framed the dispute as more than a simple land case, describing it as a challenge to state authority and public confidence in law enforcement.
Government statements issued during the inspection said Phuket’s beach disputes now affected “national confidence”, public rights and Thailand’s international image as a tourism destination.
The government also announced plans to develop a ‘Bang Tao model’ for future management of public beach land, involving coordinated oversight by local authorities, forestry officials and police.
The visit later became politically charged after Anutin abruptly cancelled a planned inspection of Freedom Beach, where separate allegations involving forest encroachment, restricted public access, alleged intimidation and influence networks remain under investigation.
Officials later said the Prime Minister had instead travelled urgently to Ranong for a security-related operation involving suspected tax-evading goods worth more than B50 million.
The decision to cancel the inspection at Freedom Beach attracted broad criticism from the public. One Thai commenter joked, “Afraid of bullets? 5555”.