The Ministry of Interior on Monday (June 16) issued an order transferring Vice Governors Adul Chuthong and Teeraphong Chuaychoo to Songkhla and Nakhon Si Thammarat respectively, effective immediately.
The transfers came hours after PM Anutin publicly raised concerns during a Ministry of Interior meeting in Bangkok, where he referred to allegations circulating on social media involving Phuket officials and called for an investigation into the claims.
"We don’t necessarily believe these things," Mr Anutin said while discussing allegations posted online.
"But we have to adhere to the principle that where there’s smoke, there’s fire."
During the meeting, Mr Anutin referred to social media posts alleging links between individuals close to a deputy governor and disputes involving public land in Cherng Talay, as well as claims that a "deputy governor" had boasted of having enough influence to have Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn transferred.
The Prime Minister stressed that the allegations remained unproven but said they required investigation.
"We are cracking down on influential figures," he said.
"If we point one finger at others while allowing influential figures to remain within our own organisation, three fingers point back at us."
Mr Anutin also warned that government officials must not become involved in supporting illegal activities.
"The most frightening thing is when state officials are involved in supporting illegal activities," he said. "That must not happen in the Ministry of Interior."
Governor Nirat responded by requesting that the ministry appoint an independent fact-finding committee to investigate the allegations.
"I would like to propose that the Permanent Secretary establish a ministerial-level committee to investigate the facts in order to ensure fairness for all parties," he said.
Part of the discussion centred on allegations posted online about a figure referred to as "Deputy Seafood", a nickname used by several social media pages making claims about influence and political connections in Phuket.
Vice Governor Teeraphong was asked during the meeting to respond to allegations circulating online but said he preferred to submit documents explaining the matter because it involved multiple individuals.
Under the transfer order, Pol Lt Col Khetarat Chansilp, previously Vice Governor of Samut Sakhon, and Romdon Haji Awae, previously Vice Governor of Songkhla, have been appointed as Phuket’s new vice governors.
The Ministry of Interior has not publicly stated whether the transfers are disciplinary measures or part of a broader administrative reshuffle.
The move comes amid months of controversy surrounding Phuket, including investigations into public land disputes, allegations involving nightlife licensing and earlier transfers of senior provincial officials.