Phuket police report 3,484 foreign suspects in cases since Jan. 2025
The figures were reported by Phuket Provincial Police Chief Sinlert Sukhum as the Prime Minister travelled to Bang Tao Beach to address longstanding complaints over encroachment on public land.
Phuket Provincial Police handled 3,218 criminal cases involving 3,484 foreign suspects between Jan. 1, 2025 and Apr. 30, 2026, police chief Sinlert Sukhum reported on May 12.
The figures were released as the prime minister traveled to Bang Tao Beach over longstanding complaints about encroachment on public land.
Myanmar nationals made up the largest group of suspects at 946, or 27.2% of the total. Russians ranked second with 269 suspects, followed by British nationals with 143 and French nationals with 141.
Foreign Business Act cases target nominee operations
Police said they have intensified action against suspected violations of Thailand’s Foreign Business Act, especially nominee businesses allegedly run through Thai proxies. Authorities have prosecuted 15 cases involving 33 foreign suspects.
Russians accounted for 13 of those suspects, while 12 were Chinese nationals, two were Israelis and six were from other countries. The cases involved car rental companies, restaurants, real estate operations, design firms and childcare centres.
Offences cited by police included foreigners operating restricted businesses without proper authorisation, continuing to operate despite suspended licences, and Thai nationals allegedly helping by serving as nominee shareholders.
Bang Tao encroachment and licence enforcement
Officials said three criminal cases are under investigation over illegal occupation of public beachfront land at Bang Tao by businesses operating rental rooms, restaurants and massage shops. An official report estimated damage at about B18 million across more than three rai of occupied land.
Police also highlighted enforcement against foreigners driving without licences. Between Jan.
1, 2025 and Apr. 30, 2026, officers arrested 20,901 foreigners for driving without valid licences.
In the first four months of 2026 alone, police recorded 8,625 such arrests, which they said reflected intensified enforcement aimed at improving safety and order in Phuket’s tourism areas.
Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-reports-3-484-foreign-suspects-in-criminal-cases-since-2025-100201.php
