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Government Speeds Up Phuket Tourism Clean-up

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Thailand’s Interior Ministry is stepping up efforts to clean up Phuket’s tourism sector by investigating companies suspected of using illegal Thai nominee shareholders for foreign owners. The campaign has already resulted in legal action against dozens of businesses while speeding up licensing for legitimate hotel operators.

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Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwanchawee said 159 companies believed to be operating through nominee arrangements have been referred to a review committee. Legal action has been taken against 39 companies, while 34 have been ordered to divest their holdings.

The investigation is set to expand further, with around 200 additional companies expected to be submitted to the committee for scrutiny. Polapee said an update on the operation is expected this week, with a joint press conference alongside the Department of Lands planned for July 2 or 3. He and Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasit are also expected to return to Phuket in about two weeks.

Alongside enforcement, authorities have accelerated the approval process for legitimate hotel businesses. Phuket previously issued around 40 hotel operating certificates each year, but following changes to procedures after the latest inspection visit, officials granted approximately 45 licences within just 10 days.

According to Polapee, the faster licensing process is designed to help hotels and other tourism businesses operate legally while removing illegal levies that have affected honest operators. The changes are intended to allow compliant businesses to trade without fear of unlawful interference.

The campaign forms part of an urgent policy directed by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The ministry’s stated priorities are to “alleviate hardship, promote well-being, protect public peace, eradicate drugs and defeat gangsters.”

The Nation reported that the crackdown targets nominee arrangements, where Thai nationals hold shares on behalf of foreign owners in breach of Thai law. Authorities have also linked the operation to broader efforts to prevent and combat transnational crime affecting the tourism industry.

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Picture courtesy of The Nation

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image.png Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 30 June 2026


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Silly me I clicked on the article thinking it was about local officials police and scammers.

Wishful thinking I know.

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