Worasit revealed that public sentiment in Phuket has improved after the government accelerated its crackdown on influential figures, reaffirming that the Prime Minister is clear that no one is above the law. He is also pushing to resolve hotel licensing issues to prevent exploitation of operators by corrupt practices and extortion attempts by influential parties who had previously taken advantage.
On 7 Aug 2026 10:50 GMT+7 at Phuket Provincial Hall, Mr. Worasit Liangprasit, Deputy Minister of the Interior, spoke about progress in tracking and eliminating influential figures and illegal business operators. Following recent reshuffles of the governor and deputy governors of Phuket, he said he was here to follow up on two issues: first, hotel business licenses, which had been pending for about 6-7 years. He stated that inspections and actions are underway and expected to be completed by September 2026. Everything will be updated to current standards, with no outstanding applications remaining. This will greatly benefit the area and help generate tax revenue for the state.
Regarding the current status of influential figures in the area, Mr. Worasit said the situation has improved. If any influential individuals remain, they will be confronted. The policy of Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is clear: no one is above the law. For example, the regulation of the Bang Tao beach encroachment has already been decided by court ruling, and other cases continue to be handled according to legal frameworks.
On the feedback from operators who previously protested, Mr. Worasit viewed it positively, saying it reflects constructive input. The government has demonstrated it is not acting for show or without benefit. Regarding hotel business licenses, with around 400-500 applications pending for over seven years, only about 117 remain now. For those genuinely seeking licenses, relevant agencies are gathering data and surveying obstacles to licensing, identifying related issues. The government will expedite adjustments to make procedures more suitable. He emphasized that current licensing requirements have been avenues for extortion of operators. Resolving these issues will allow businesses to operate more comfortably and increase government revenue.
Subsequently, Mr. Worasit presented hotel business licenses to operators and chaired a meeting to deliver policies on security and address nine key social order issues in Phuket. The provincial administration summarized key problems and obstacles to bringing operators into the licensing system, including building control laws, agency databases, urban planning, condominium regulations, land allocation, and environmental concerns.
Mr. Worasit delivered a policy address stating that today marks an opportunity to revisit Phuket and review progress following prior policy directives. He thanked the province for strictly adhering to policy frameworks and commended all civil servants for rigorously enforcing laws and promptly issuing hotel business licenses. He described the progress as remarkable since previously only about 30 licenses were issued annually. This year, with around 400 pending applications, nearly 300 have been cleared within two months, leaving approximately 100 remaining. He expects all current applications to be up to date by September and praised the officials for their efforts.
For those wishing to apply for licenses but facing legal or regulatory hurdles, the Ministry of Interior has compiled all relevant information and laws to update them according to current conditions. The ministry will summarize these and propose legal amendments, including revisions to acts, ministerial regulations, and related provisions, to facilitate broader and easier license access for operators. Crucially, these processes must be free from bribery or corruption.
He declared that anyone experiencing irregularities or problems obtaining hotel licenses should report them to him immediately. So far, the governor and deputy governors of Phuket have been involved in these efforts, with results evident today. His visit was not merely for inspection or publicity photos but to demonstrate tangible progress. He will await the legal amendments, ensuring safety is not compromised. Other matters that can be adjusted to fit current living conditions will be addressed in line with local people's needs. He emphasized the importance of dialogue and consensus-building within communities to reach solutions and submit proposals to him.
Regarding foreigners, he expressed pleasure in welcoming people of all races and nationalities to Thailand. However, he noted some individuals engage in inappropriate or illegal activities causing problems for the country. He stressed such behavior cannot be tolerated, as it ultimately creates broader issues and disturbances.
Tomorrow, he will travel to Surat Thani province, where Thai operators have faced threats from foreign tourists. He said incidents like these should not happen in Thailand; all, Thai or foreign, must respect the law to coexist peacefully. The Prime Minister has emphasized that Thailand must operate under Thai law. The issue of foreigners encroaching on Thai occupations is another focus, along with drug problems and coordinated provincial systems. The efforts underway are not only for Phuket but are aimed at resolving hotel industry issues nationwide, using Phuket as a model. This is a significant starting point, as solving Phuket's problems can serve as a blueprint for other provinces. Phuket remains Thailand's top tourism revenue generator.