Phuket MP denounces ‘sham’ anti-corruption efforts, urges structural reform
A Phuket MP told Parliament that anti-corruption efforts on the island were ineffective, saying entrenched extortion and governance problems remained unresolved despite official investigations and visits.
People’s Party MP Chalermpong, who represents Phuket Constituency 2, told Parliament that anti-corruption efforts in Phuket were failing to address entrenched problems and asked House Speaker Sophon Zarum to forward his concerns to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Mr Chalermpong said public frustration had intensified after recent upheaval in the provincial administration. He referred to a dispute involving Phuket’s governor and vice governors that led to officials being transferred following allegations of misconduct and internal conflict.
He also criticised the Department of Provincial Administration for investigating the matter without setting up a formal fact-finding committee.
“The people of Phuket are frustrated and dissatisfied,” he told Parliament.
Mr Chalermpong said senior Interior Ministry officials, including deputy interior ministers, had made repeated visits to Phuket in recent weeks, while five House of Representatives committees had also travelled to the island.
“It’s as if they’ve attacked Phuket from every angle, as if all the problems remain unresolved,” he said, adding that superficial solutions would not solve the province’s problems.
He argued that corruption remained deeply rooted despite the wave of official activity, citing alleged extortion involving hotels, entertainment venues and land encroachment by influential figures.
“Today, the problem of corruption in Phuket, whether it’s extortion from hotels, entertainment venues, or land encroachment by influential figures, persists,” he said. “It remains unresolved, and extortion issues continue as before. You can change the ringleaders, but the extortion continues and remains the same.”
Mr Chalermpong said replacing governors and vice governors would not fix Phuket’s long-standing governance problems and that the initial burst of official attention had faded without meaningful reform.
He renewed his call for greater local autonomy, saying Phuket residents should be allowed to elect their own governor and manage the province themselves.
Mr Chalermpong asked the House Speaker to send his concerns to PM Anutin for consideration.
