This taking over by certain nationals in Phuket is not just since a year. On Kata beach a good few years back, much before Covid, the Thais burnt down Russian signs and shop fronts ! They had already moved in ! Slowly in the beginning they have bought up all the cheaper condos, and since the war in Ukraine started they’ve really taken off. I was there visiting Thai friends and did they have stories to tell. Phuket is ruined! Exploding cost of living, condos, restaurants dishing out any old rubbish as there are too many customers, they can’t manage ! Shocked me . Everyone knows what they are doing, illegal taxis, illegal rentals to their own kind, property , you name it. I escaped back to Bangkok , and breathed a sigh of relief . My visits in the future will be a few days to visit my Thai friends , I have only one good western friend , all the others have long left .