Lawyer Chumsai appeals to Anutin to urgently suppress the Patong mafia, exposing 'Mr. W.' who positions himself as an influential figure demanding monthly protection fees of one million baht. Deputy spokesperson Ploytalay accepts the case and stresses the Prime Minister’s policy that no one is above the law.,
At 09:30 on 5 Jun 2026 GMT+7 at the Government House, Mr. Chumsai Sriyapai, former deputy spokesperson of the Pheu Thai Party, submitted a letter to Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul requesting resolution of mafia problems, influential figures extorting protection fees, and committing criminal offenses such as extortion and racketeering under the 2015 Debt Collection Act. Ms. Ploytalay Laksanamisangchan, deputy spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Office, accepted the letter on behalf of the government.
Mr. Chumsai said that following the Prime Minister’s directive to tackle mafia issues and his previous site visit to Bang Tao Beach in Phuket, it remains that influential figures continue to extort protection fees from entrepreneurs in other parts of Phuket. For example, in Soi Saensabai, Patong Subdistrict, Kathu District, a businessman known only as 'Mr. W.' claims close ties with senior provincial officials and demands one million baht per month in protection fees from small vendors encroaching on private land. Mr. Chumsai has reported this to the Phuket governor for investigation, but the matter has been ignored. He has also filed three complaints with Patong Police Station; some cases have progressed, but others have been delayed because they fall outside the government’s current focus areas.
Mr. Chumsai stated that he came to the government to urge expedited action consistent with the government’s policy to suppress influential figures. The problem of mafia extortion exists in many locations, and the worrying factor is not the private entrepreneurs but the involvement of government officials. He urged the Prime Minister to swiftly address this, especially by strictly enforcing the law among officials responsible for law enforcement.
Ms. Ploytalay said the Prime Minister and government aim to eliminate this problem, especially in Phuket, where it has been neglected. The system has long known about widespread interference by powerful officials in the area. The government is ready to receive reports from locals about illegal extortion of merchants in markets, streets, and alleys. Regarding influential officials, the government will take serious action, insisting that officials comply with the law as the Prime Minister has stated that no one is above the law and that such issues must be eradicated.
Ms. Ploytalay added that the area in question is near Bang Tao Beach, where the Prime Minister previously visited to monitor the problem. The issue of influential persons is one that the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supat Jutamas are determined to resolve. Phuket has long suffered land encroachment, with state power and officials intervening and exerting influence. Being from the area, she knows the local context and which groups illegally demand money from merchants.
Ms. Ploytalay explained that the area is an easement zone and that authorities will inspect what 'Mr. W.' has done there, including any constructions. She will report this to the Prime Minister and relevant parties for a field visit. She pledged to take these matters seriously, in line with the Prime Minister’s statement that no one, including state officials, is above the law and that the government intends to completely resolve the problem.
When asked if the land encroachment relates to influential groups or foreign nominee groups, Ms. Ploytalay acknowledged their presence. Each province has its own influential groups, requiring root-level investigations. She believes that in some areas, especially Phuket, Chinese and Russian nominees are involved.