Phuket MP alleges entrenched corruption and extortion networks in province
A People’s Party MP for Phuket has alleged long-standing corruption, extortion and influence networks in the province, and called for transparent investigations and explanations for recent official transfers.
A Phuket MP has alleged that entrenched corruption, extortion and influential networks continue to operate in the province, harming businesses, investor confidence and public trust.
Chalermpong, MP for Phuket Constituency 2 from the People’s Party, told The Phuket News that after returning to his constituency he was warned by a "respected police officer" to exercise caution. He said the warning was unusual and reflected deeper power structures involving what he described as "power, politics and vested interests" in Phuket.
He alleged that business owners and entrepreneurs were being extorted and that "enormous sums of money" were linked to high-ranking officials. According to Chalermpong, the problem was not new but part of a long-standing structural issue involving influential networks embedded in local administration and law enforcement.
He said business operators had repeatedly complained about ongoing demands for payments and that the practice was eroding confidence among investors and damaging honest businesses. He also alleged that the payments followed a cycle and continued on a monthly basis.
Chalermpong questioned recent visits by senior government figures to tourist areas including Freedom Beach and Bang Tao Beach, saying such trips risked becoming "window dressing" if they did not address underlying problems. He urged the government to compile detailed information on influential figures and investigate alleged networks of influence regardless of who was involved.
The MP also raised concerns over recent transfers of government officials in Phuket. He claimed that officials previously under investigation had been reassigned or returned to positions in the province, including two district chiefs in Mueang Phuket and Thalang.
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, a party-list MP and leader of the People’s Party, also called for clarification from the government over recent civil service appointments and transfers. He said public trust could be undermined if the reasons for the decisions were not clearly explained and urged the prime minister to provide transparency on the criteria used.
Separately, Pukkamon Nunarnan, a party-list MP from the same party, said unclear explanations over transfers and appointments in Phuket were damaging investor confidence. She said businesses had raised concerns about hidden costs and unofficial payments, though those claims were not independently verified.
