Governor Chotinrin chaired his first Phuket Provincial Security and Public Order Committee meeting at Provincial Hall at 1:30pm yesterday (June 29), attended by Vice Governor Suwit Phansengiam and Deputy Director of the Phuket Internal Security Operations Command Rear Admiral Praphan Srisuwipa.
Also present were Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum, representatives from the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office and other senior officials.
The meeting reviewed Phuket’s security situation and discussed the implementation of policies announced by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul during his recent visit to the island, with agencies instructed to strengthen cooperation in drug suppression, crime prevention and public safety to build confidence among residents and tourists.
Police reported that during fiscal year 2026 they handled 4,987 criminal cases, with 92.82% of offenders apprehended. Immigration Act violations remained the most common offences, followed by technology-related crimes, while serious crimes remained under effective control.
Traffic enforcement figures showed more than 100,000 arrests for the 10 major traffic offences, with driving without a licence and failing to wear a helmet accounting for the largest number of cases.
Police also reported more than 14,000 prosecutions against unlicensed rental vehicle drivers, the majority involving foreign nationals.
Officials reviewed traffic accident statistics and measures to improve congestion, including upgrades to the Hua To U-turn on Thepkrasattri Rd, adjusting traffic signal timings during peak hours and restricting heavy trucks to designated routes and operating times.
Governor Chotinrin said he would inspect the province’s pilot traffic management centre, while the Provincial Traffic Committee was instructed to develop further measures covering road, air and sea transport.
The committee was also tasked with monitoring port operations, docking procedures and the ongoing recovery of shipping containers and wreckage from the cargo vessel ‘Sealloyd Arc’ to ensure maritime safety is not affected.
On drugs, officials reported 2,297 arrests during the first eight months of fiscal year 2026, an increase of more than 20% compared with the same period last year.
Methamphetamine and crystal meth (ya bah and ya ice) remain the most common drugs seized in Phuket, while cocaine and heroin are becoming increasingly prevalent in tourist areas. Authorities were instructed to intensify suppression operations while expanding treatment programmes for drug users.
The Department of Employment reported that Phuket has more than 139,000 legally registered foreign workers. Officers inspected 1,781 businesses and more than 21,000 foreign workers, resulting in 279 prosecutions for labour offences. Inspections targeting illegal workers and foreigners employed in protected occupations will continue.
The meeting also reviewed operations against forest and public land encroachment, inspections of entertainment venues and shooting ranges, and implementation of the province’s "Safeguarding Phuket" measures aimed at improving public safety and reinforcing Phuket’s reputation as a world-class tourist destination.
Governor Chotinrin stressed the need for all agencies to work closely together by sharing information, closely monitoring security issues and rigorously enforcing the law to protect lives and property while maintaining confidence among residents, visitors and businesses.