Mr Polapee made the order during what official reports called an inspection of cannabis businesses and suspected nominee-operated companies in Cherng Talay on Saturday (July 11), which Polapee said was part of the nationwide ‘Operation 90 Days’ campaign targeting drugs, illegal businesses and organised crime.
Accompanied by Phuket Governor Chotinrin Kerdsum and senior officials from the Ministry of Interior and Department of Provincial Administration, Mr Polapee visited a cannabis shop linked to the arrest a day earlier of two women accused of attempting to smuggle about 30 kilograms of cannabis out of Phuket.
Investigators traced the cannabis to the shop, where officials found the business was still selling cannabis flowers, pre-rolled joints and cannabis-infused food despite its licence having already been suspended following three previous violations.
Authorities said the licence is likely to be permanently revoked, pending further legal proceedings against the owner.
During the inspection, officers requested customer records and medical certificates required under Thailand’s medical cannabis regulations but found none.
Officials said the absence of documentation indicated the business had failed to comply with legal requirements governing medical cannabis sales.
"I have instructed the Governor of Phuket, the Deputy Governor and all relevant government officials to survey and inspect every cannabis establishment to determine which businesses are operating legally, where illegal sales are taking place, and where cannabis is being mixed into food," Mr Polapee said.
"Anywhere there is illegal sale to foreigners for smuggling out of the country, whether through airports or buses, we will inspect everything without exception.
"Today we are looking at the overall picture across Phuket and will organise society everywhere, not just in one location."
Mr Polapee said the inspections form part of a nationwide campaign to ensure cannabis is sold only for medical purposes, prevent recreational sales and stop attempts to smuggle cannabis out of Thailand.
Phuket currently has 1,089 licensed cannabis businesses, comprising 503 in Muang District, 415 in Kathu and 171 in Thalang, all of which will be inspected, he said.
He stressed that businesses complying with the law had nothing to fear.
"We fully support the use of cannabis for medical purposes in line with the Ministry of Public Health’s policy. However, what we found today does not comply with that intention, so legal action must be taken," he said.
The inspections come less than two weeks after Phuket health officials confirmed the number of cannabis shops on the island is expected to fall sharply as operators are required to meet stricter medical licensing requirements introduced by the Ministry of Public Health.
Under the new rules, licences will no longer be automatically renewed, and businesses must meet tighter medical standards, including having appropriately qualified staff on site during operating hours. Provincial officials have warned that many existing operators are unlikely to qualify under the revised framework.
CHINESE SHRINES
Deputy Interior Minister Polapee has also pledged to review outdated laws governing Thailand’s Chinese shrines after meeting representatives from more than 40 Phuket shrines at the Jui Tui Tao Bo Keng Shrine on Saturday (July 11).
The meeting focused on concerns over shrine management, registration and land ownership, with shrine representatives urging the government to modernise regulations and streamline approval processes.
Among the key proposals was a request to decentralise some approval powers from Bangkok to provincial governors to speed up shrine registrations and other administrative procedures. Representatives also called for clearer legal recognition of shrine property rights and land ownership to help prevent future disputes and encroachment.
Speaking after the meeting, Polapee said Phuket’s shrine network demonstrated strong cooperation in preserving the traditions and culture of the island’s Thai-Chinese community.
He said the collaboration among more than 40 shrines could serve as a model for other provinces and instructed relevant agencies to study revisions to outdated laws and regulations while ensuring safeguards against abuse.
Polapee also called for the development of a comprehensive registration and data system covering shrines and those responsible for their management, saying greater transparency would strengthen public confidence.
He said the Ministry of Interior would consider all of the proposals raised during the meeting, working with the Department of Provincial Administration, the Department of Land and other agencies to update regulations in line with current circumstances while protecting the public interest and preserving Thailand’s cultural heritage.
The meeting was attended by senior ministry officials, including Department of Land Director-General Pornpoj Penpas, Phuket Governor Chotinrin Kerdsum, Vice Governor Romdon Hayiawae, Senator Nipon Ekwanich and representatives of the Phuket Shrine Association.
Phuket’s Chinese shrines, locally known as "aam", date back to the arrival of Hokkien Chinese immigrants during the island’s tin mining era. Kathu Shrine is regarded as Phuket’s oldest shrine and the birthplace of the island’s famous Vegetarian Festival.
The shrines remain under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior and continue to play a central role in preserving Phuket’s Chinese-Thai cultural heritage.