The inspection was carried out yesterday (June 17) by officials from the Phuket Damrongdhama Centre (Phuket Provincial Ombudsman’s Office), the Department of Provincial Administration, Patong Police, Patong Municipality, the Phuket Provincial Land Office and other relevant agencies following complaints submitted to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Leading the inspection was Naphat Em-on, an Inspector General with the Department of Provincial Administration who is currently serving as Acting Phuket Provincial Palad (Chief Administrative Officer).
Phuket Damrongdhama Centre Director Monchai Saeleow said the site visit was intended to gather information and verify the facts presented by all parties.
He said it was too early to determine whether the complaints were substantiated, particularly allegations that influential figures or mafia groups were involved.
"Such conclusions require clear evidence and cannot be made based solely on complaints," Mr Monchai said.
He explained that while some land ownership disputes had already been resolved, others remained under investigation because property boundaries had yet to be clearly established.
The Phuket Provincial Land Office has advised the complainants to commission official land surveys to accurately determine ownership boundaries before any legal proceedings continue.
Patong Police Superintendent Pol Col Korakrit Khanthakrue said police had received reports of two separate land disputes in the area in March and May, involving allegations that three businesses had encroached onto neighbouring land.
Investigators are awaiting the outcome of the official land surveys before deciding whether any offences have been committed.
Police are also investigating allegations that business operators were subjected to extortion.
Pol Col Korakrit said investigators were continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses, including several foreign nationals.
"No charges have been filed and no arrests have been made at this stage, as investigators must first establish the facts through the available evidence," he said.
Provincial officials confirmed they would continue monitoring the case and coordinate with all relevant agencies to ensure the investigation is carried out transparently and to maintain confidence among residents and business operators.
The investigation came as Deputy Interior Ministers Polapee Suwunchwee and Worasit Liangprasit visited Patong yesterday evening (June 17) to meet business operators and hear first-hand about problems affecting the tourism town.
The ministers, dressed in civilian clothes, toured Bangla Rd and said the visit would help shape policy discussions with provincial officials.
Deputy Interior Minister Worasit said the government wanted to create a business environment where operators could work without exploitation while ensuring all businesses complied with the law.
He acknowledged that some laws and ministerial regulations governing businesses in Phuket had remained unchanged for more than a decade and no longer reflected current economic conditions.
"The objective is to update outdated regulations while ensuring transparency and making it easier for businesses to comply with the law," he said.
The visit forms part of the Ministry of Interior’s broader effort to review regulations affecting investment and business operations in Phuket while authorities continue investigating complaints of alleged extortion and land disputes in Patong.
LAND CRACKDOWN
More than 200 foreign-linked companies suspected of illegally holding land in Phuket are under investigation as the Ministry of Interior steps up its campaign to reclaim land and tighten enforcement across the island, officials announced today (June 18).
Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee announced the crackdown after meeting provincial officials at Phuket Provincial Hall to deliver government policy.
The meeting was attended by fellow Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasit, Secretary to the Interior Minister Chaiwat Junthirapong, Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn and senior officials from the Ministry of Interior and related agencies.
Mr Polapee said the Department of Lands had been ordered to coordinate with provincial authorities to pursue both criminal and civil action against companies found to be illegally holding land.
He said more than 200 companies in Phuket had been identified through Ministry of Commerce records as being owned by foreigners, with investigations now underway to determine the nature of their land holdings.
"Thailand must belong to the Thai people," Mr Polapee said.
The Department of Lands has also been instructed to re-examine land boundary markers and title documents for beaches and other areas inspected by the ministers yesterday.
The ministry is also coordinating with the Department of Forestry to survey Phuket and nearby tourist provinces for forest encroachment and the illegal issuance of land rights documents. Findings will be submitted to the Ministry of Interior for further action.
Mr Polapee also addressed concerns over waste management, saying Deputy Interior Minister Worasit had proposed measures to reduce waste and improve rubbish disposal, with further inspections planned.
Attention is also being given to businesses operating in Patong’s Walking Street area, where authorities have identified both legal and illegal operators.
Mr Polapee said zoning regulations and ministerial rules would be reviewed to determine whether they remain appropriate, while officials would also examine ways to help businesses that are unable to register through the current licensing system.
He said the Department of Provincial Administration and other agencies had been tasked with reviewing regulations to better support Phuket as one of Thailand’s key economic centres.
Mr Polapee defended Phuket’s government officials, including Governor Nirat, saying investigations into allegations of wrongdoing would proceed in accordance with the law and that officials should be presumed innocent unless evidence proved otherwise.
He said the government’s priority was to address Phuket’s wider challenges, including preparing businesses for the low season, improving environmental management and strengthening the tourism economy.
"We did not come here to focus on who is right or wrong," he said. "We came to reset Phuket and make it a better place to live, work and visit."
Responding to questions about allegations of extortion and so-called "tribute payments" by businesses, Mr Polapee said operators conducting their businesses legally should not be vulnerable to such demands.
He acknowledged that some businesses continued to operate outside the legal system and said the government wanted to encourage all operators to comply with the law.
During visits to business operators, the ministers also sought feedback on licensing procedures and taxation, with Mr Polapee saying outdated regulations would be reviewed where necessary.
He said a business assistance clinic had been established at the Mueang Phuket District Office to provide information and support for entrepreneurs.
"I want the people of Phuket to have confidence in the Ministry of Interior," Mr Polapee said. "We are here to help people conduct business legally so they can operate without being exploited."