Phonphir and Warasit chaired a policy meeting with the Phuket governor and government officials, ordering a reset of all problems to swiftly return Thai land to the Thai people. They plan to conduct thorough inspections of land title documents on every island across the country and encourage entrepreneurs to stop paying bribes and enter the legal system.
At 10:00 a.m. on 18 June 2026 at the Phuket Provincial Hall, Mr. Phonphir Suwanchavee and Mr. Warasit Liangprasit, Deputy Ministers of the Interior, along with Mr. Chaiwat Junthirapong, Secretary to the Minister of Interior, held a policy meeting with agencies under the Ministry of Interior and related government departments. The meeting was attended by Mr. Nirat Pongsitthaworn, Governor of Phuket.
Mr. Phonphir said after the meeting that today he met with the Phuket governor and the Director-General of the Forestry Department. The policy directive given was to reclaim land for Thai people. It was found that more than 200 companies in Phuket are owned by foreigners. The Department of Lands will coordinate with the province to pursue both criminal and civil cases. For areas without land titles, such as various beaches visited yesterday (17 June 2026), he personally questioned how the land markers and titles originated. The Department of Lands will re-examine these and report back on progress.
Coordination has been made with the Forestry Department to survey all areas in Phuket and nearby tourist provinces to identify any illegal encroachments and improper issuance of land titles. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will report findings to the Ministry of Interior, which will oversee this matter to verify actual encroachments before implementing further measures.
Mr. Phonphir also addressed the critical waste dump problem in Phuket. Mr. Warasit offered several proposals to help reduce waste and improve management methods. They plan to visit the area for inspection. There is also concern about entrepreneurs; from a visit last night to Patong Walking Street, some operators may be compliant while others are not. They need to review zoning regulations and ministerial rules to see if they align with current conditions and understand why some entrepreneurs cannot enter the formal system and how to resolve this.
Mr. Warasit provided policy guidance and ideas, instructing the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration and relevant department heads to review ministry regulations and related laws. They want Phuket to be a strong economic city, recognizing that Phuket’s income tax revenue is substantial and a key contributor to national taxes. They aim to bring warmth and vitality back to Phuket, but everything must comply with legal regulations, and illegal acts will not be tolerated.
Asked about perceptions of a purge of senior provincial officials and whether officials involved in extortion in Phuket were being monitored, Mr. Phonphir stated that Phuket’s officials are all good civil servants. Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn is an experienced leader who has held director-general positions. He emphasized that officials mentioned in news reports have not been found guilty yet.
“Therefore, the process of investigation and information gathering will continue. Phuket cannot stop here because its people are struggling with livelihoods and preparing for the low season and incoming tourists, alongside pollution problems. I don’t want to focus on who is right or wrong. Our purpose here is not to dismantle what has happened but to reset Phuket to be a livable, attractive, and welcoming tourist destination. The most important thing is for residents, entrepreneurs, and officials to return to a brighter state and make Phuket a tourism hub for Thailand again.”
Mr. Phonphir added that regarding investigations and measures by the Department of Provincial Administration, these will proceed. Concerning personnel transfers, if we remain stuck on problems, we may miss other perspectives. Bringing in new people might reveal different angles that long-standing personnel might not see.
“For example, I come from the Northeast and Mr. Warasit from Satun; we may have no prior connection with the islands or Phuket province. But today I have ideas and have consulted with everyone on management methods, legal compliance, and facilitation. Sometimes bringing in fresh eyes helps. Perhaps one day Mr. Sembe might return here, or the two deputy governors may return to their home provinces or others. But today, we want to introduce new ideas and perspectives to see how we can help Phuket.”
When asked how to prevent people from resorting to paying bribes and instead turning to the government system, Mr. Phonphir said if everyone runs their business legally, no one can extort them. However, the reality is that in many provinces, some operate in a gray zone, some illegally, and some refuse to enter the system at all. This is unacceptable to the Prime Minister and themselves. They strive to bring everyone into the system, where no one can take advantage of them, but everyone must cooperate with them.
During the site visit last night (17 June 2026), he asked entrepreneurs about tourism operations, licensing, and tax payments. If anyone’s data is outdated, corrections must be made. This effort is not just for Phuket but for the whole country. Collecting this data is essential.
Mr. Phonphir continued that this afternoon the Department of Provincial Administration will open a clinic to facilitate the public and provide information to entrepreneurs. They will conduct field visits themselves and use the gathered data to analyze and determine what needs adjustment or government action requiring integrated cooperation.
“To the people of Phuket, I ask only that you regain trust in the Ministry of Interior. Believe me, I am here to facilitate you genuinely. Whatever happened yesterday, the day before, or last week, I don’t know. But starting today, we are committed to helping you live happily, run legal businesses without extortion. This is our goal and what we must manage here and nationwide. Please don’t lose hope. The Ministry of Interior has always worked to relieve suffering and promote well-being. Although your past experience with officials may not have been good, trust me, you will come to appreciate the Ministry of Interior more from now on.”
Regarding the list of 200 companies owned by foreigners, Mr. Phonphir said they checked corporate entities registered with the Ministry of Commerce, which may have changed shareholders' names. Initially, they identified more than 200 companies with land holdings in Phuket. However, it is not yet confirmed whether these holdings are houses or land. Ultimately, all land in Thailand belongs to Thai people.