Phuket statement rejects reports of moves to oust governor

A Phuket public-relations statement has rejected reports circulating on social media that residents are preparing to remove Governor Chotinrin, saying there is no basis for claims that his appointment or tenure is linked to political issues.

Issued by the Phuket branch of the Public Relations Department on 11 September 2026, the statement did not identify who was behind the reports or explain what prompted it. It said Phuket Province was continuing to carry out its administrative duties and implement policies for residents and tourists under official authority and regulations.

The statement urged the public not to believe, share or disseminate unverified information, warning that inaccurate or false claims could damage confidence in Phuket, its image and its tourism industry.

The response came as Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee, who represents Constituency 2, questioned whether the governor and relevant provincial agencies had been negligent in dealing with nominee businesses and other problems involving foreign business activity.

Speaking after a House Standing Committee on Tourism meeting, Mr Chalermpong said Phuket had inspected businesses considered at high risk of nominee arrangements, including tour operators, accommodation providers, restaurants, car-rental companies, real-estate agencies and pool villas. He questioned why some cases appeared to require media coverage or formal complaints before inspections began.

He called for a database of high-risk businesses, an alert system, joint agency inspections and action plans for major tourist areas. He also said the governor should lead coordination among the administrative, police, immigration, labour, commerce, land, revenue and tourism authorities involved in such cases.

Mr Chotinrin took office on 29 June after former Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn was transferred to a senior Ministry of Interior post in Bangkok during a wider shake-up of Phuket’s provincial administration. The changes followed allegations of corruption and influential networks in the province, including claims made by entertainment operators during a protest in Patong that provincial officials had demanded B1 million to approve entertainment licences.

In July, Mr Chotinrin referred questions about whether additional officials were linked to the alleged corruption network to a Ministry of Interior disciplinary investigation and a criminal investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission. He said investigators were examining evidence and following the money trail. Former Phuket Provincial Palad Rungruang Thimabut had been arrested the previous month.

The Phuket News also reported that the Governor’s Office had not answered questions about reports that Mr Chotinrin was attending events in Bangkok and elsewhere for at least three days a week over more than a month. This week, he was on Sumatra for an international conference, while his return had not been confirmed by official reports.

The latest statement did not address those questions or Mr Chalermpong’s specific concerns about nominee businesses and the effectiveness of provincial inspections. It instead reiterated that reports of moves to oust the governor were untrue and called on the public to verify information before sharing it.