Pol.Phee revealed that OTOP Midyear 2026 sales have surpassed 700 million baht, highlighting that the Thai Help Thai Plus project supports purchasing power. A meeting is scheduled tomorrow with Ekkanat, the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), and the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) to find ways to allocate a 20 billion baht budget to maintain public and street lighting. It was disclosed that the number of nominee companies in Phuket has surged to 400, with plans to discuss solutions jointly with the parliamentary committee.
On 27 June 2026 at the IMPACT Exhibition Center, Muang Thong Thani, Mr. Pol.Phee Suwanchawee, Deputy Minister of the Interior, said after visiting the OTOP Midyear 2026 event that overall reception exceeded expectations. Latest sales within the event reached about 700 million baht. Despite the economy still slowing, the Thai Help Thai Plus project has effectively stimulated consumer purchasing power.
Entrepreneurs without the One Tambon One Product (OTOP) trademark were still given the opportunity to participate and continued to attract public interest, reflecting that this year’s event response is satisfactory. Selection of participating vendors focused on products rated three stars and above to allow entrepreneurs nationwide to sell quality goods and generate income.
Additionally, Mr. Pol.Phee revealed that on 28 June he will meet with Minister of Energy Ekkanat Phonphun, along with the Metropolitan Electricity Authority and Provincial Electricity Authority, to find ways to allocate approximately 20 billion baht to maintain public electricity systems and street lighting.
They will consider which budgets or revenues of relevant agencies can be used to cover costs to avoid burdening the public, before submitting conclusions to Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul upon his return from France for consideration.
Mr. Pol.Phee also spoke on progress in cracking down on influential figures encroaching on public land and nominee companies in Phuket. He said three to four parliamentary committees have conducted field inspections. Previously, he and Deputy Minister of the Interior Worasit Liangprasit discussed the matter and noted good progress, although some issues remain troubling, such as issuance of land title deeds (Sor Chor 1) for 5 rai but appearing on other plots as 8 rai, or in some cases, lands classified as Agricultural Land Reform Office (Sor Por Kor) or forest land.
He added that while some plots belong to forest land, other parts are Sor Por Kor land but title deeds were still issued. He instructed the Director-General of the Department of Lands to investigate all cases retroactively, including who authorized the titles and how. Some cases are still in court because landowners refuse revocation. Another field inspection is planned within 1-2 weeks.
Regarding the crackdown on nominee companies in Phuket, the number has risen from 316 companies, with over 10,000 companies scanned. The current estimate exceeds 400 companies. Investigations are checking their business activities and links to Thai individuals assisting with company registrations. The Ministries of Interior and Commerce are closely collaborating to investigate and, if violations are found, the Department of Lands will enforce deregistration followed by criminal and civil prosecutions.
Mr. Pol.Phee urged the public to be patient, stating that they cannot act as vigilantes. Even when wrongdoing is known, the root cause and who allowed illegal business operations must be identified. It is their duty to investigate thoroughly and ensure everything is corrected properly.
Reports from the parliamentary committees’ field inspections indicate that 30-40% of Phuket entrepreneurs may be operating illegally, raising questions about the nature of violations—such as lacking licenses. If so, why have local authorities allowed these businesses to operate unlawfully? This suggests possible tolerance for exploitation, extortion, or protection by influential local figures calling themselves gang leaders or community bosses. Such situations are unacceptable. Businesses operating in unauthorized zones without permits should not be allowed to continue, as this undermines law-abiding operators. With increasing illegal operators, laws must address this to bring offenders into compliance; otherwise, the rule of law is at risk.
Therefore, the starting point must be clear: officials from the governor down must not have allowed this situation to persist. The parliamentary committees will summarize their findings and convene discussions to identify problems and find joint solutions to help entrepreneurs. If half the island operates illegally and officials shut them all down, Phuket would cease to be Phuket and its economy would halt. Thus, solutions are needed to bring operators under legal compliance.