Thailand PM Orders Urgent Probe Into Phuket Land Encroachment and Nominee Cases
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered agencies to accelerate investigations into Phuket land encroachment, nominee-law violations and suspected corruption in local-government recruitment examinations.
Thailand Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered authorities to accelerate investigations into several major cases, including suspected local-government examination corruption, land encroachment in Phuket and the use of Thai nominees to hold shares or operate businesses on behalf of foreign nationals.
Anutin called an urgent meeting at the Thai Khu Fah Building at Government House in Bangkok on July 16 with Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary Autsarit Samphantharat, Commerce Ministry Permanent Secretary Wuttikrai Leeviriyaphan and Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma, according to a report published that evening.
The meeting was intended to speed up legal action and coordinate the work of agencies handling the cases. The land matter involves alleged encroachment by groups of investors and influential people, while the nominee cases concern conduct that violates Thai law.
The discussion also covered alleged fraud in examinations for local-government officials. Related reports cited in the source said authorities were examining the cancellation of appointments involving about 3,000 officials, while parliamentary committees were investigating suspected irregularities in the handling of examination files and scores. Those reports were not detailed as findings of the meeting itself.
The meeting took place as Anutin prepared to lead an official visit to China from July 16 to 20, 2026.
