The latest operation on Thursday (June 11) saw officials target four more establishments in Patong, bringing the total number of illegal hotel operators arrested in Phuket to seven following raids in Karon and Rawai the previous day.
The crackdown was ordered by DOPA Director-General Narucha Khosasilvilai, who publicly uses the name Narucha Kosacivilize.
Narucha has repeatedly said that the crackdown has come under a government policy led by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul aimed at tackling corruption, maintaining public order and suppressing influential figures operating outside the law.
Narucha ordered Deputy DOPA Director-General Witthoon Sirinukul to lead a special operations team from the department, working alongside Phuket Provincial Police, in carrying out the second day of inspections, DOPA reported.
According to DOPA, investigations found that the targeted businesses were offering accommodation to both Thai and foreign tourists and accepting bookings through online platforms in a manner similar to licensed hotels, despite lacking the hotel licences required under the Hotel Act 2004.
Officials said evidence gathered during the investigation showed the establishments were operating as hotels without authorisation.
Following inspections, officers arrested those deemed responsible and launched legal proceedings. Evidence collected during the raids will be used in further investigations, DOPA said.
DOPA did not identify the four Patong businesses targeted in the latest operation.
The latest arrests follow raids conducted on Wednesday (June 10) in Karon and Rawai, where three unlicensed accommodation operators were arrested after officials alleged they had been providing hotel-style services without licences.
Narucha said the campaign was intended not only to enforce the law against illegal operators but also to protect tourists, maintain accommodation safety standards and ensure fair competition for businesses operating legally.
"Cracking down on illegal hotels is not only about enforcing the law against offenders, but also about regulating the tourism sector, establishing safety standards for tourists and ensuring fairness for businesses operating legally," he said.
Narucha added that inspections would continue in major tourism destinations across Thailand.
He also warned that authorities would investigate any complaints or information suggesting negligence, favouritism or the illegal acceptance of bribes by government officials connected to unlicensed hotel operations.
"The Department of Provincial Administration will proceed in a straightforward, transparent and consistent manner, without discrimination," Narucha said.
"If any offenders are found, decisive legal action will be taken, whether they are business operators or those involved in illicit profiteering, in order to elevate the standards of Thai tourism, build confidence among tourists and maintain Thailand’s image in the long term."
The Phuket operations form part of DOPA’s nationwide "Conquering the Gangsters" campaign targeting businesses operating outside legal requirements in major tourism centres.
TENSION
The Phuket hotel raids come amid growing political scrutiny of DOPA Director-General Narucha.
On the same day the first Phuket raids were announced, Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee and People’s Party deputy leader Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn filed complaints with the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Election Commission seeking investigations into allegations that Narucha and other Interior Ministry officials interfered in the February Senate election.
The complaints stem from the ’Helping the Blue’ controversy, in which critics allege state officials were instructed to support candidates linked to the Bhumjaithai Party led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Mr Chalermpong has cited evidence allegedly provided by former Phuket Provincial Palad Rungruang Thimabut, including a LINE chat conversation said to have taken place about one month before the election. According to Mr Chalermpong, the chat included election polling information and a message allegedly sent by Narucha stating, "Help Namngern", followed by a response reading, "100%, sir."
Narucha has publicly denied any wrongdoing and has maintained that the activities in question were legitimate government information campaigns.
The complaints are the latest development in a wider dispute that has drawn national attention to Phuket following the transfer of senior provincial officials amid investigations into alleged misconduct and interference in local administration.
The controversy has its roots in investigations into alleged encroachment and illegal business operations at Bang Tao and Freedom beaches, where authorities found businesses operating on occupied public land while serving tourists.