Tourism businesses on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan have voiced strong support for a government crackdown on mafia groups and illegal business networks, saying such activities damage the islands’ reputation and undermine fair competition.

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On 17 June 2026, Ratchaporn Poolsawad, Vice President of the Tourism Council of Thailand and former president of the Koh Samui Tourism Promotion Association, spoke on behalf of tourism operators on both islands. He said the term “mafia” in the tourism sector extends beyond traditional criminal groups and includes unequal business structures operating outside the law.

According to Ratchaporn, the problem includes the exploitation of tourists, price gouging, and the occupation of public land for private gain. He said these issues have become deeply rooted over many years and have harmed the tourism environment on the islands.

The private sector is calling on the government to adopt a zero-tolerance approach, focusing on equal and consistent enforcement of the law. Tourism operators argue that all businesses should be given a fair opportunity to compete and that illegal operators should be brought into the formal tax system.

Ratchaporn said that once businesses enter the tax system, government agencies can oversee and collect revenue transparently. He added that this would help eliminate opportunities for individuals or organised groups to demand illegal payments or protection money.

Industry representatives have also urged stronger screening measures for foreign nationals seeking to conduct business in Thailand. They want immigration authorities to carry out stricter checks on criminal records, outstanding warrants and declared occupations to ensure only genuine tourists and legitimate investors enter the country.

The comments come as authorities intensify inspections on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. Recent enforcement efforts have focused on foreign-funded businesses allegedly operating through Thai nominees, as well as measures to regulate public transport services and prevent monopolistic practices that inconvenience visitors.

Tourism operators say their greatest concern is the islands’ image. Disputes and confrontations involving local mafia groups and tourists are often widely reported and shared, creating the perception that the destinations are unsafe.

Despite ongoing global tourism challenges, including geopolitical tensions and the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on airfares from Europe, operators report continued confidence among European travellers. Survey data indicates visitor numbers during the current low season have reached 70-80 per cent on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, exceeding levels recorded before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Matichon reported that business leaders believe that if the government successfully eliminates mafia influence and restores confidence in public safety, Thailand’s tourism industry could attract substantial investment and sustain strong visitor numbers throughout the year, particularly as the country approaches the key tourism months of the third and fourth quarters.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Matichon 18 June 2026

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Good luck with that. Get back to us in a year, tell us how you wiped out all that mafia influence.

Of course, this will work, as there are no "influential" elements associated with the current government.

2 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Good luck with that. Get back to us in a year, tell us how you wiped out all that mafia influence.

There is only one mafia in Thailand, they are easy to find.

41 minutes ago, lch said:

There is only one mafia in Thailand, they are easy to find.

But in a separate story, Anutin is in Russia wanting to help expand their "cultural" influence.

What "May" happen is a couple of low level "Mafia" business arrests. Basically Theatrical show to quiet the public. Time passes and is back to business as usual.

Like others have said it does seem like there is an incentive to let the groups continue to operate.

Only 1 mafia 8n thailand and we all know who they are lol

But they said there was no mafia in samui 🙄😂

Start with the taxis, then spread to the hotels. Then do the same in every other resort in Thailand.

Then realise this was all a dream.

6 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Good luck with that. Get back to us in a year, tell us how you wiped out all that mafia influence.

Indeed- I suspect that nothing substantial will be different in 12 months time

Nice try, but will not work.

"unfair competition" Bit rich coming from the Thais when they have Thai only occupations, knowing that people from other countries could do it much better - must be frightened as don't know of many ( non spring to mind) other countries that do this! Pot kettle black - do as I say not what I do!

4 minutes ago, phil2407 said:

"unfair competition" Bit rich coming from the Thais when they have Thai only occupations, knowing that people from other countries could do it much better - must be frightened as don't know of many ( non spring to mind) other countries that do this! Pot kettle black - do as I say not what I do!

Almost every country protects its labor market, but most do so by making it very difficult for foreigners to get a visa for low-skill jobs.

It is true that Thailand does it differently by defining the work itself as "for Thais only"

40 minutes ago, phil2407 said:

"unfair competition" Bit rich coming from the Thais when they have Thai only occupations, knowing that people from other countries could do it much better - must be frightened as don't know of many ( non spring to mind) other countries that do this! Pot kettle black - do as I say not what I do!

Yeah, all those poor foreign nielloware makers, just desperately wishing they could move to Thailand.

2 hours ago, phil2407 said:

"unfair competition" Bit rich coming from the Thais when they have Thai only occupations, knowing that people from other countries could do it much better - must be frightened as don't know of many ( non spring to mind) other countries that do this! Pot kettle black - do as I say not what I do!

I'm not sure there are plenty foreigners that can paint umbrellas, make alms bowls or Buddha images much better than Thais...

6 hours ago, John Drake said:

But in a separate story, Anutin is in Russia wanting to help expand their "cultural" influence.

Has he mentioned that Russians are dirty people like he has suggested that we are.

Name and shame. Democrat Party henchman Suthep Thaugsuban has long been the godfather of the South, particularly in sketchy real estate. He was also responsible for the Red Shirt massacre in Bangkok.

1 hour ago, baansgr said:

I'm not sure there are plenty foreigners that can paint umbrellas, make alms bowls or Buddha images much better than Thais...

Don't forget velvet paintings, bamboo grasshoppers, tuk tuks made of beer cans!

What about all the falang real estate developpers or home renovation companies in Thailand, who have alliances in mafia type groups of the building business all over Thailand and mainly in places like Hua Hin or Phuket ? Not to mention all the Chinese who are very active but discreet in various shaddy schemes ?

9 minutes ago, SingAPorn said:

Not to mention all the Chinese who are very active but discreet in various shaddy schemes ?

Nicely highlighted................ far more than any other group.......their discretion hasn't gone unnoticed though, at least by the Thai authorities of recent.............times a changing................

16 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Tourism businesses on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan have voiced strong support for a government crackdown on mafia groups and illegal business networks, saying such activities damage the islands’ reputation and undermine fair competition.

Get today's headlines by email

On 17 June 2026, Ratchaporn Poolsawad, Vice President of the Tourism Council of Thailand and former president of the Koh Samui Tourism Promotion Association, spoke on behalf of tourism operators on both islands. He said the term “mafia” in the tourism sector extends beyond traditional criminal groups and includes unequal business structures operating outside the law.

According to Ratchaporn, the problem includes the exploitation of tourists, price gouging, and the occupation of public land for private gain. He said these issues have become deeply rooted over many years and have harmed the tourism environment on the islands.

The private sector is calling on the government to adopt a zero-tolerance approach, focusing on equal and consistent enforcement of the law. Tourism operators argue that all businesses should be given a fair opportunity to compete and that illegal operators should be brought into the formal tax system.

Ratchaporn said that once businesses enter the tax system, government agencies can oversee and collect revenue transparently. He added that this would help eliminate opportunities for individuals or organised groups to demand illegal payments or protection money.

Industry representatives have also urged stronger screening measures for foreign nationals seeking to conduct business in Thailand. They want immigration authorities to carry out stricter checks on criminal records, outstanding warrants and declared occupations to ensure only genuine tourists and legitimate investors enter the country.

The comments come as authorities intensify inspections on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. Recent enforcement efforts have focused on foreign-funded businesses allegedly operating through Thai nominees, as well as measures to regulate public transport services and prevent monopolistic practices that inconvenience visitors.

Tourism operators say their greatest concern is the islands’ image. Disputes and confrontations involving local mafia groups and tourists are often widely reported and shared, creating the perception that the destinations are unsafe.

Despite ongoing global tourism challenges, including geopolitical tensions and the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on airfares from Europe, operators report continued confidence among European travellers. Survey data indicates visitor numbers during the current low season have reached 70-80 per cent on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, exceeding levels recorded before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Matichon reported that business leaders believe that if the government successfully eliminates mafia influence and restores confidence in public safety, Thailand’s tourism industry could attract substantial investment and sustain strong visitor numbers throughout the year, particularly as the country approaches the key tourism months of the third and fourth quarters.

Join the discussion?

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Matichon 18 June 2026

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so far only mentioning K.Samui and K.Phangan...

why not check K.Tao as well???

remember???

I don't know where you would even begin to eradicate the mafias on the southern islands. I had a friend a long time ago who had this amazing house on a hillside that he invested his life savings in, it was worth a couple of million dollars. His wife was all gambling one night and she put up to the title of the house and lost. When the husband went to an attorney to try to determine what his recourse was he was told that the guy that he lost the bet to was the former police chief of Samui and that if he attempted to sue the guy he would be immediately assassinated.

When the chief of police is that corrupt and that foul, how is it possible to address these kind of problems?

It will be interesting to see what happens if koh Tao is examined. Foreign owned enterprises have sprung up like mushrooms since I was there in the 1980s

On 6/19/2026 at 2:17 PM, john smith said:

It will be interesting to see what happens if koh Tao is examined. Foreign owned enterprises have sprung up like mushrooms since I was there in the 1980s

Very corrupt place.

On 6/18/2026 at 6:11 PM, spidermike007 said:

I don't know where you would even begin to eradicate the mafias on the southern islands. I had a friend a long time ago who had this amazing house on a hillside that he invested his life savings in, it was worth a couple of million dollars. His wife was all gambling one night and she put up to the title of the house and lost. When the husband went to an attorney to try to determine what his recourse was he was told that the guy that he lost the bet to was the former police chief of Samui and that if he attempted to sue the guy he would be immediately assassinated.

When the chief of police is that corrupt and that foul, how is it possible to address these kind of problems?

First golden rule in Thailand...never buy (a wife that is)....only rent (the lady that is)...and when fed up, it's thanks and next.

Thing is that these islands are all run like personal fiefdoms of powerful local families and the local police are weak and easily corrupted... reminds me of that famous cartel phrase use in central America "Silver or lead" that also applies here in many places.

On 6/18/2026 at 6:11 PM, spidermike007 said:

I don't know where you would even begin to eradicate the mafias on the southern islands. I had a friend a long time ago who had this amazing house on a hillside that he invested his life savings in, it was worth a couple of million dollars. His wife was all gambling one night and she put up to the title of the house and lost. When the husband went to an attorney to try to determine what his recourse was he was told that the guy that he lost the bet to was the former police chief of Samui and that if he attempted to sue the guy he would be immediately assassinated.

When the chief of police is that corrupt and that foul, how is it possible to address these kind of problems?

I know a guy in Pattaya who enjoyed a similar fate. If I remember well, a layer accepted sales certificates with a fake signature, without requiring that he signs them in front of him.

Big brass was involved and he got the same recommendation from his lawyer. If you want to sue, go back to your country and do it from there, or you will be shot.

On 6/18/2026 at 11:50 AM, unblocktheplanet said:

Name and shame. Democrat Party henchman Suthep Thaugsuban has long been the godfather of the South, particularly in sketchy real estate. He was also responsible for the Red Shirt massacre in Bangkok.

The guy who organized protests against corruption? Oh noooo! 😂