Senior Phuket Official Removed Amid Expanding Corruption Investigation

Rungriang Thimabut, the Permanent Secretary of Phuket Province and a key figure in several high-profile operations against illegal businesses and influential networks, has been removed from his position and reassigned to an inactive post at the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) headquarters in Bangkok amid an ongoing corruption investigation.

Reports about the transfer emerged on May 26, the same day Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn chaired a meeting with provincial officials and introduced Naphat Amon as the new acting permanent secretary of Phuket. Naphat was transferred from DOPA’s central office, where he previously served as an inspector.

Authorities did not clarify the exact date when Rungriang Thimabut was officially removed from his position.

The reassignment comes less than a week after Rungriang and five other Phuket administrative officials were ordered to temporary posts in Bangkok while investigators examine allegations related to extortion involving entertainment businesses in Patong.

During the meeting, Governor Nirat stressed that all government officials must strictly follow the law and maintain professional discipline. He also warned civil servants against abusing the names of senior officials for personal benefit.

“Anyone found guilty of such misconduct will face personal responsibility and legal action without exception. This is necessary to protect national interests and strengthen public confidence in the government sector,” local media quoted the governor as saying.

Observers noted that the governor’s remarks closely echoed anti-corruption statements repeatedly made by Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

The removal of Rungriang Thimabut has triggered divided reactions across Thai social media. Supporters portray him as a determined official who actively led campaigns against illegal businesses and land encroachment operations in Phuket, arguing that he may have become a target because of those efforts.

Critics, however, pointed to inconsistencies in some of his previous public statements, particularly regarding disputes connected to Freedom Beach.

At the same time, leaked DOPA disciplinary documents resurfaced online, revealing that Rungriang had previously faced sanctions during his earlier service as a district chief in Narathiwat province.

According to the documents, he had been accused of issuing firearm licenses without proper background verification and allegedly maintaining financial connections with illegal gambling operations.

The disciplinary action reportedly resulted in a two-percent salary reduction and was imposed about a year ago, when Nirat Pongsitthaworn — now Phuket’s governor — was serving as director-general of DOPA.