Anutin leads crackdown on encroachment at Bang Tao Beach, Phuket, following ongoing illegal construction and business operations invading public land, including the establishment of beer bars and restaurants. Foreign nationals have been found using nominees to expand their influence in the area, defying the law and regulations on public space usage and land ownership rights in this tourist hotspot.
At 10:30 a.m. on 10 May 2026, Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, along with his delegation, visited Bang Tao Beach in Choeng Thale Subdistrict, Thalang District, Phuket Province. The visit aimed to monitor and address issues of encroachment on public land and national reserved forest areas at two major tourist locations: Bang Tao Beach in Choeng Thale and Freedom Beach in Karon Subdistrict, Mueang Phuket District.
The Prime Minister's first stop was Bang Tao Beach in Choeng Thale, where the Phuket Provincial Governor and the Director of the Phuket Forestry Center provided a briefing on the prolonged issue of beach encroachment. Previously, illegal wooden structures housing beer bars and restaurants were dismantled by the Choeng Thale Subdistrict Administrative Organization. However, since late 2021, more robust and permanent structures have been rebuilt across the area, with claims to partial land title deeds and consent from landowners. The local administration has invoked the Building Control Act of 1979 to issue legal orders for decisive action. Upon arrival, the Prime Minister was welcomed by local residents holding signs requesting assistance to resolve the encroachment problem.
While walking, the Prime Minister was embraced by a local woman in a red shirt who tearfully expressed gratitude and urged him to help resolve the issue. The Prime Minister collected various signs held by the residents, symbolizing his commitment to addressing their concerns. He also met with local leaders, including subdistrict chiefs and village heads, and engaged with community members to discuss the situation firsthand.
Regarding progress on legal action against encroachment in the national reserved forest area at Bang Tao Beach, Choeng Thale, there are currently three cases with two suspects charged with jointly trespassing on public land under the Local Administration Act and jointly clearing or burning forest land under the Forestry Act. Investigations have revealed operations renting out rooms, restaurants, and massage shops encroaching on beach areas, with estimated damages exceeding 18 million baht across over three rai, one ngan, and ninety square wah. These cases are under investigation, with evidence being gathered for further legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, Pol. Maj. Gen. Sinlert Sukhum, Commander of Phuket Provincial Police, reported on enforcement actions against violations under the Foreign Business Act of 1999, also known as "nominee" cases, investigated by Phuket police. "Nominee" cases have totaled 15. These involve six cases in car rental businesses, five in restaurants, two in real estate, one in design services, and one in daycare centers. Among the 33 foreign suspects, Russians were the largest group with 13 individuals, followed by 12 Chinese, two Israelis, and six from other nationalities.
Charges include foreigners operating businesses that Thai nationals are not ready to compete in seven cases; operating businesses while licenses were suspended or revoked in one case; Thai nationals assisting or partnering with foreigners in six cases; and foreigners allowing Thais to hold shares or act as proxies in one case. Regarding general criminal cases involving foreign tourists, from 1 January 2025 to 30 April 2026, Phuket police recorded 3,218 cases with 3,484 suspects. The top four nationalities involved were Myanmar (946 suspects, 27.2%), Russia (269 suspects, 7.7%), the United Kingdom (143 suspects, 4.1%), and France (141 suspects, 4.0%).
Authorities have also tightened enforcement against foreigners driving without licenses and scrutinized car rental shops for negligence. Phuket police data from 1 January 2025 to 30 April 2026 show 20,901 foreigners were arrested for driving without licenses; in 2026 alone, 8,625 such arrests occurred between January and April. This stringent law enforcement aims to maintain order and enhance safety and confidence in Phuket’s tourist areas.
Anutin told residents, business operators, and officials that the government, through the Ministry of Interior, had received complaints from locals and entrepreneurs in Bang Tao Beach, Choeng Thale, about gangsters—referred to locally as "kui"—who, unlike influential figures, intimidate people by seizing public land and illegally leasing it to businesses. The government will not tolerate this and has assigned the Deputy Minister of Interior, a local from the southern region, to closely oversee these issues. With support from the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Commander of Region 8 Police, and Phuket’s Governor, strict law enforcement is underway, coordinated with the Phuket Forestry Office, Choeng Thale Subdistrict Administrative Organization, and related agencies to restore public land to state ownership.
