PM targets Bang Tao Beach encroachment, nominee businesses in Phuket
PM targets Bang Tao Beach encroachment, nominee businesses in Phuket — confirmed details at this stage for Phuket readers.
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Bang Tao Beach in Phuket at 10.30am on May 10 to address Bang Tao Beach encroachment and illegal business activity on public land. Officials said the inspection covered two sites, Bang Tao Beach in Cherng Talay and Freedom Beach in Karon, after repeated complaints over buildings and commercial operations spreading into public and reserved forest land.
At the first stop in Cherng Talay, provincial and forestry officials said wooden beer bars and restaurants had previously been torn down, but new, stronger structures had been built across the area again since late 2021. Cherng Talay tambon officials have posted legal orders under the 1979 Building Control Act for decisive action.
Cases span land invasion, nominee firms and traffic offenses
Authorities said three criminal cases have been filed over national forest encroachment at Bang Tao Beach, with two suspects accused of invading public land and clearing or building in forest areas. Investigators found room rentals, restaurants and massage businesses extending onto the beach, causing damage estimated at more than B18 million across more than 3 rai, 1 ngan and 90 square wah.
Phuket Provincial Police also reported 15 nominee-business cases under the Foreign Business Act: six in car rentals, five in restaurants, two in real estate, one in design and one in a nursery. The 33 foreign suspects included 13 Russians, 12 Chinese, two Israelis and six others.
Police said 3,218 criminal cases involving foreign suspects were recorded from Jan. 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026, with 3,484 suspects in total.
They also arrested 20,901 foreigners for driving without a license during that period, including 8,625 arrests from Jan. 1 to April 30 this year.
Source: https://www.thairath.co.th/news/politic/2931782
