Thanakorn says PM will crack down on foreign mafia in Phuket, Phangan
Thanakorn says PM will crack down on foreign mafia in Phuket, Phangan — confirmed details at this stage for Phuket readers.
Bhumjaithai list MP Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on May 14, 2026 that Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul would take decisive action against foreign mafia groups in Phuket and Koh Phangan. He said the crackdown would also target foreigners operating businesses illegally through Thai nominees and cases involving encroachment on public beachfront land.
Thanakorn, a former industry minister, said the government would tighten control of influential nominee operators accused of taking work from Thais. He linked the effort to a broader tourism policy focused on attracting higher-quality visitors and generating sustainable national income.
Legal action, enforcement and infrastructure orders
Thanakorn said Anutin had already visited both Phuket and Koh Phangan to hear assessments from relevant agencies as well as proposals from residents and business operators. He said those consultations would be used to shape a more serious response.
He also addressed criticism that past problems persisted because officials failed to enforce the law. Thanakorn said the government would apply the law strictly and had ordered legal proceedings against offenders to be accelerated to the fullest extent.
He said any state officials found involved would face firm action to prevent repeat offenses. Thanakorn added that the government would also move to stabilize water supplies and electricity systems to ease disruption and support tourism revenue.
Source: https://www.thairath.co.th/news/politic/2932661
