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DOPA chief orders Phuket hotel raids
DOPA chief orders Phuket hotel raids
Thursday 11 June 2026 10:21 AM
PHUKET: A special operations unit from the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) raided three unlicensed accommodation businesses in Phuket's tourism hubs of Karon and Rawai and arrested their operators as part of a nationwide crackdown on illegal hotels.
Phuket MP seeks NACC probe into election interference allegations
Phuket MP seeks NACC probe into election interference allegations
Wednesday 10 June 2026 09:00 AM
PHUKET: Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee and People's Party deputy leader Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn have filed complaints with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Election Commission seeking an investigation into allegations that senior Interior Ministry officials interfered in the February national election.
New Palad sets 30-day deadline on beach probes
New Palad sets 30-day deadline on beach probes
Monday 1 June 2026 02:18 PM
PHUKET: Acting Phuket Provincial Palad (Chief Administration Officer) Naphat Em-on has pledged to resolve three high-profile issues affecting the island within 30 days, including the long-running Freedom Beach access dispute, allegations of illegal land use at Bang Tao Beach, and complaints of extortion linked to entertainment venues in Patong.
Phuket transfer row reaches Parliament as leaked chat faces questions
Phuket transfer row reaches Parliament as leaked chat faces questions
Monday 1 June 2026 12:28 PM
PHUKET: The controversy surrounding the transfer of Rungruang Thimabut, the now-sidelined Phuket Provincial Palad (Chief Administration Officer) and four other senior administrative officials has escalated to the national stage. A formal complaint has been submitted to Parliament alleging possible political interference behind the move, while questions continue to grow over the authenticity of a leaked Line chat at the centre of the dispute.
Former graft-busters get jail terms in Prawit watch case
Former graft-busters get jail terms in Prawit watch case
Thursday 28 May 2026 09:19 AM
BANGKOK: Two former officials of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) have been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for failing to disclose information related to the high-profile luxury watch case involving former deputy prime minister Prawit Wongsuwon.
Governor warns officials amid Phuket Palad fallout
Governor warns officials amid Phuket Palad fallout
Tuesday 26 May 2026 05:34 PM
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn has stressed strict adherence to laws and discipline by government officials during the monthly Phuket Provincial Committee meeting, where a new acting Phuket Provincial Palad was formally introduced following the transfer of former Phuket Provincial Palad (Chief Administrative Officer) Rungruang Thimabut.
Democrats launch AI platform to fight graft
Democrats launch AI platform to fight graft
Tuesday 26 May 2026 12:00 PM
BANGKOK: The Democrat Party has launched “Song Rat” (scan the state), an AI-based platform designed to detect irregularities in government projects, starting with procurement linked to artificial intelligence initiatives.
Corruption worsening: Survey
Corruption worsening: Survey
Sunday 24 May 2026 11:47 AM
PHUKET: More than half of Thai businesses believe corruption in Thailand has worsened over the past three years, according to a new nationwide survey released by the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) under its ‘Zero Corruption’ campaign.
Phuket MP presses Freedom Beach land scandal probe 
Phuket MP presses Freedom Beach land scandal probe 
Saturday 23 May 2026 09:00 AM
PHUKET: Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee has thanked the Royal Forest Department (RFD) for quickly issuing a public clarification over allegations tied to the long-running Freedom Beach land scandal, but says another retired senior official also remains under scrutiny.
Phuket Governor calls for clearer definition of ‘influential figures’
Phuket Governor calls for clearer definition of ‘influential figures’
Friday 22 May 2026 12:39 PM
PHUKET: Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn has called for stricter law enforcement against public land encroachment and urged a review of the official definition of an “influential person” as part of efforts to strengthen security operations nationwide.
Phuket officials transferred over Patong extortion claims
Phuket officials transferred over Patong extortion claims
Thursday 21 May 2026 10:00 AM
PHUKET: Five senior Phuket provincial officials have been temporarily transferred from their current posts following mounting allegations of bribery and extortion linked to entertainment venue licensing in Patong.
Disaster centre opens after decade-long delay
Disaster centre opens after decade-long delay
Tuesday 19 May 2026 10:47 AM
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) has opened the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Centre building at Tha Chatchai, bringing into use a long-delayed government facility that had remained unused for almost a decade.
Officials move to calm Patong nightlife operators after extortion protest
Officials move to calm Patong nightlife operators after extortion protest
Monday 18 May 2026 12:59 PM
PHUKET: Phuket officials have moved to ease concerns among Patong entertainment venue operators following last week’s protest over alleged extortion and delays in entertainment licence approvals, insisting that authorities are acting lawfully and transparently while accelerating efforts to resolve licensing issues.
Officials review troubled B140mn The Park Khao Lak project
Officials review troubled B140mn The Park Khao Lak project
Sunday 17 May 2026 09:00 AM
PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Mr Suwit Phansengiam chaired a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall this week to review audit findings into the development and management of The Park Khao Lak project in Phang Nga, following mounting online criticism over the condition and use of the beachfront tourism site.
Anutin orders probe into officials over foreign nominee firms and land encroachment
Anutin orders probe into officials over foreign nominee firms and land encroachment
Friday 15 May 2026 08:50 AM
BANGKOK: Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered an urgent investigation into local officials in Phuket and Surat Thani provinces over alleged involvement in foreign nominee businesses, illegal land encroachment and other unlawful activities in major tourist areas.
Patong nightlife operators protest extortion, licensing delays
Patong nightlife operators protest extortion, licensing delays
Thursday 14 May 2026 11:50 AM
PHUKET: Patong nightlife operators protested alleged extortion linked to entertainment venue licensing delays during a gathering on Bangla Rd last night (May 13), calling on the government to reform the approval process and tackle corruption among officials.
Phuket MP challenges PM’s anti-mafia pledge
Phuket MP challenges PM’s anti-mafia pledge
Monday 11 May 2026 09:21 AM
PHUKET: Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee publicly questioned Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s commitment to tackling alleged mafia influence and illegal land occupation in Phuket after the abrupt cancellation of a planned inspection at Freedom Beach on Sunday (May 10).
Anutin vows crackdown on Phuket ‘mafia’
Anutin vows crackdown on Phuket ‘mafia’
Monday 11 May 2026 08:51 AM
PHUKET: Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul arrived in Phuket yesterday (May 10) specifically to address allegations of mafia influence, corruption, illegal beach encroachment and threats linked to controversial land disputes at some of the island’s most valuable coastal areas.
Anutin to inspect Bang Tao, Freedom Beach over 'mafia' death threat
Anutin to inspect Bang Tao, Freedom Beach over 'mafia' death threat
Sunday 10 May 2026 08:00 AM
PHUKET: Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is scheduled to visit Phuket today (May 10) to inspect alleged beach encroachment at Bang Tao Beach and Freedom Beach, following public calls for government action after a Phuket MP reported receiving death threats linked to his investigation into illegal land use in the area.
NACC Phuket probes delayed Surin Beach ‘Skywalk’ project
NACC Phuket probes delayed Surin Beach ‘Skywalk’ project
Sunday 3 May 2026 11:00 AM
PHUKET: The Phuket office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has launched a formal monitoring probe into the long-delayed Surin Beach ‘Skywalk’ project, which is now running almost a year behind schedule with just a quarter of construction completed.