Interior Ministry orders senior Phuket transfers amid complaints over influence and beach land case

Thailand's Interior Ministry has ordered a major reshuffle of senior officials in Phuket, including the transfer of two deputy governors and the appointment of a new provincial governor, following complaints about alleged influence in the province and a beach land encroachment case.

According to the source, the action followed social media criticism and complaints from Phuket residents about a deputy governor. The complaints centered on three issues: claims that the official boasted of having enough influence to have a governor transferred, allegations that a close associate was involved in encroaching on public beach land behind Cherng Talay Police Station, and a local dispute over who held real authority in Phuket.

The source said Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul raised the matter during a conference meeting on June 15, asking about a deputy governor known by a seafood-related nickname. It said he rejected any claim that a deputy governor could remove a provincial governor, saying such appointment powers rest only with the ministry's top leadership.

The ministry then ordered what the source described as an urgent transfer of five deputy governors. In the Phuket-related moves, Theerapong Chuaychu was transferred from Phuket to Nakhon Si Thammarat and Adul Chuthong was transferred from Phuket to Songkhla. Two officials were moved into Phuket: Khettharat Chansilp from Samut Sakhon and Romdon Haji-awae from Songkhla.

In a separate switch at the top provincial post, Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthithaworn was moved to the position of deputy permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry, while Chotinrin Kerdsom was appointed governor of Phuket in his place.

The source said the reshuffle was intended to cut off local influence networks and prevent intimidation of witnesses in the beach land case.