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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.

https://www.rawai.com/thanakorn-says-pm-will-crack-down-on-foreign-mafia-in-phuket/

« On the ground, the slowdown is already visible. During Holy Week -- typically one of the busiest travel periods -- tourism activity fell sharply, with declines of up to 50 percent in some areas, based on figures discussed on-air.
“We are seeing not a minor disruption… arrivals have dropped”, Gomez said.
He estimates that 60 to 70 percent of the impact is tied directly to fuel costs and flight disruptions, while the rest reflects a shift in traveler behavior -- people delaying trips, booking closer to departure, or opting for shorter itineraries. »

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/5/7/philippine-tourism-faces-worst-shock-since-covid-as-flights-cut-costs-surge-1122

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Phuket on Sunday, May 10, to push a crackdown on local influence networks while reviewing disputes over public land encroachment at Bang Tao Beach in Cherng Talay, Thalang.

He also heard complaints from affected people who said the situation had harmed their livelihoods and daily life, officials said.

Anutin said the government was prioritizing public safety and fairness after reports of threats and intimidation by problematic groups in the area. He told people to report any harassment to district officials, village heads, local administrative bodies or police, saying nobody was above the law.

Bang Tao Sandbox set as template for public land cases

The prime minister said two issues were driving the response: influence figures must have no place in Thailand, and authorities must not tolerate the strong preying on the weak.

He said any solution for public areas must follow the law while also protecting opportunities for people to earn a living.
He added that the government was not trying to shut down livelihoods, but all sides would need to cooperate and accept some changes so businesses could continue legally.

If operators work with authorities, he said, the state is prepared to find lawful ways for shared use of land where appropriate.
Anutin assigned Deputy Interior Minister Vorasit Liangprasit to lead coordination with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and local agencies.

He said the “Bang Tao Sandbox” would serve as a national model for handling public land use and state land encroachment, including opening unused public land for lawful community use where there is no state development plan.

https://www.rawai.com/pm-orders-crackdown-on-local-influence-networks-in-phuket/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13555-026-01764-4

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13555-026-01764-4

"In 2026, Metro Manila’s skyline tells a story of ghost towers, with the city-wide condo vacancy rate hitting a staggering 25% and peaking at over 50% in the Bay Area. Despite nearly 75,000 units sitting empty across the capital, rent prices are staying stubbornly high, even ticking up by 2.3% this year in prime business districts.

This vacancy paradox is driven by a standoff because landlords are trapped by high mortgage payments and association dues that prevent them from lowering prices, while developers offer ghost discounts like free months of rent to avoid officially slashing their rates.

For the average renter, this creates a bizarre reality where options are everywhere yet affordability remains out of reach, leaving Manila with the highest gap between rent costs and local incomes in Southeast Asia. As these buildings remain dark and the For Lease signs multiply, how long can landlords afford to keep their doors locked before the market finally forces a crash?"
https://www.instagram.com/p/DXtBK8qmu_Z/

Phuket MP Chalermpong told Parliament on May 1 that Thailand should go beyond cutting visa-free stays from 60 days to 30 days and end visa-free entry altogether. In remarks later posted online, he said the shorter stay was “not enough” and argued that Phuket shows why tourism policy should focus on quality over quantity.
He said visa rules are the first checkpoint for screening arrivals and warned that admitting “just anyone” could create longer-term costs that outweigh headline tourism revenue. His comments followed the government’s recent decision to reduce visa-free stays to 30 days after feedback from tourism stakeholders.
MP links tourism policy to crime, jobs and cannabis concerns
Chalermpong said stricter entry rules should be restored because visa-free schemes and cannabis liberalisation have brought unintended consequences. He said some areas are already seeing foreign groups settle for extended periods, compete with Thai workers and add pressure on public resources.
In a separate social media post, he defended criticism of tourism problems by pointing to reports of fights involving foreign visitors, arrogant behaviour, job competition and environmental harm. He blamed what he called a hands-off response by authorities.
He also said Thailand’s standing as a world-class destination depends on attracting higher-spending visitors who stay longer and support the economy more sustainably. On cannabis, he said the lack of clear law has left shops widespread in cities and along beaches, with the smell affecting the visitor experience and discouraging some families from returning.
Parliament speech also targeted traffic, water and wastewater issues
Beyond entry policy, Chalermpong used his parliamentary address to press for faster work on a proposed bridge across Khlong Mudong to ease congestion at the Chalong-Wichit boundary. He said the project would improve links between the two areas.
He also highlighted recurring shortages at Klong Kata Reservoir, the main raw water source for Chalong, Rawai and Karon, and called for new supplies and long-term water management.
He further warned that untreated wastewater discharged into Klong Mudong in Wichit is affecting public health, local fishermen and the mangrove ecosystem, and urged agencies to install proper treatment systems

https://www.rawai.com/phuket-mp-presses-parliament-to-scrap-visa-free-entry/

On April 26, Senate Deputy President Gen. Kriangkrai Srirak announced in Surat Thani that concerns over foreign nominee businesses and illegal construction in Samui, Phangan, and Phuket have prompted calls for urgent action. Residents reported worries about foreign nationals exploiting legal loopholes to control land and operate businesses through Thai proxies, with impacts on local communities and the economy.

Reports of Illegal Land Use and Foreign-Run Communities

Gen. Kriangkrai cited complaints of unlawful building, encroachment on public and forest land, and destruction of natural resources. He noted that gaps in law enforcement have allowed these issues to resurface after earlier interventions.

He highlighted reports of Israeli groups in Samui, Phangan, and Phuket acquiring property to run businesses serving their own nationals, establishing religious sites, and forming closed communities. These activities have affected both locals and other visitors.

Government Response and Enforcement Actions

The Senate will raise these concerns in parliament, seeking a comprehensive investigation and legal review. Gen. Kriangkrai proposed forming a committee to study the legal and economic impacts.

A special task force in Surat Thani was previously set up to address illegal foreign business activity, leading to 620 cases prosecuted between October 2025 and April 2026. Of these, 18 cases involved hotels, villas, and tourism, and authorities revoked seven visas.

https://www.rawai.com/senate-deputy-warns-of-crackdown-on-foreign-nominee-phuket/