Plophee, Deputy Minister of Interior, is set to announce progress on Phuket's issues in early July. He expressed satisfaction that OTOP Midyear 2026 sales exceeded targets, surpassing 890 million baht. Efforts are underway to overhaul the entire system and promote a plan to remove 'public lighting charges' from citizens' electricity bills.
At 08:25 on 29 June 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Plophee Suwanchawee, Deputy Minister of Interior, gave an interview at the Parliament regarding the progress in accelerating the regulation of tourism businesses in Phuket Province. It was found that 159 nominee companies have been investigated by the inspection committee, with 39 prosecuted and 34 forced to sell off assets. Additionally, about 200 more companies will be reviewed by the committee. It is expected that on 2-3 July 2026, a joint press conference will be held with the Department of Lands. About two weeks later, he and Mr. Worasit Liangprasit, another Deputy Minister of Interior, will visit Phuket again.
Regarding hotel business licenses, Phuket previously issued about 40 licenses annually. However, after changing the work process and conducting field visits, about 45 licenses were issued in just the past 10 days. This shows the effort to help hotel operators and other businesses in Phuket operate legally to eliminate bribery and protection fees, so honest entrepreneurs will no longer worry.
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