Phuket Officials Promise “System Reset” to Tackle Illegal Businesses and Land Issues

Senior representatives of Thailand’s Ministry of Interior have pledged a comprehensive “system reset” for Phuket, promising broad reforms rather than isolated solutions to the province’s most pressing problems.

The announcement was made during a two-day visit by Polapi Suwannachawi and Warasit Liangprasert, the second and fourth deputy ministers serving under Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

According to officials, the initiative is intended to overhaul the way authorities handle long-standing issues across the island.

“Future efforts will no longer focus on individual cases but on a complete system reset to address all major problems,” the ministry said in an official statement.

During June 17–18, the delegation carried out inspections at several key locations, including Freedom Beach and Patong, while also holding meetings with provincial officials, local residents, and business representatives.

The discussions covered a wide range of topics that have dominated Phuket’s political agenda in recent months, including:

• Alleged illegal occupation of land at Freedom Beach.

• Land disputes involving businesses at Bang Tao Beach.

• Corruption and bribery concerns in Patong.

• Unlicensed hotels.

• Illegal foreign-owned businesses.

• Nominee ownership of land by foreign nationals.

• Waste management challenges.

• Tourist safety.

Among the most closely watched activities were the inspection of Freedom Beach, the launch of a one-stop service to help hotels obtain legal registration, and efforts aimed at tackling corruption in Patong.

Officials also conducted an evening inspection of Patong’s nightlife district while dressed in civilian clothing. However, during the main policy meeting the following day, both deputy ministers appeared in official uniform as they presented the government's strategy.

The ministry instructed Phuket authorities to strengthen cooperation between government agencies in order to resolve the province’s accumulated problems more effectively.

Special emphasis was placed on recovering land allegedly controlled by foreign investors through Thai nominee companies and bringing businesses operating outside the legal framework into compliance.

Officials also stressed that authorities must prevent situations in which foreign nationals illegally profit through nominee arrangements or improperly influence government officials.