Trouble in paradise as Phuket falls under Thailand’s corruption spotlight

The recent abrupt transfers of Phuket’s governor and his two deputies have sent shockwaves through Thailand’s largest resort island, long dogged by allegations of mafia-style influence. However, critics say the lightning shake-up does nothing to address the province’s deeper, long-running problems.

Opposition MPs dismissed the high-level conflict at Phuket’s provincial hall as “political manoeuvring”, suspecting those in power of using it to strengthen their grip on the province.

Phuket, a global tourist destination and one of Thailand’s wealthiest provinces, has experienced a sharp rise in illegal activities involving influential figures, ranging from encroachment on public areas to foreigners using Thai nominees to purchase land. Analysts say such individuals and their businesses frequently escape legal action with the help of corrupt officials.

A high-level conflict

The controversy erupted during the Interior Ministry’s June 15 online meeting of provincial governors from across the country. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, chairing the meeting in his capacity as the interior minister, singled out Phuket for an ongoing conflict between its governor, Nirat Phongsittithaworn, and his unnamed deputies. The dispute reportedly arose from Nirat’s crackdown on lucrative beach businesses operating illegally under the protection of certain senior officials. It escalated with threats to remove the governor.

Referring to the threats, Anutin told the meeting that any deputy governor claiming the power to transfer their boss was “out of their mind”. He stressed that such authority belongs exclusively to the Cabinet, at the interior minister’s recommendation.

Just hours after the online meeting ended, the Interior Ministry issued an order transferring two Phuket deputy governors to the same post in different provinces. Theerapong Chuaychu was shifted to Nakhon Si Thammarat, while Adul Chuthong was assigned to Songkhla.

On the following day, the Cabinet approved Governor Nirat’s transfer to deputy permanent secretary at the Interior Ministry in Bangkok, swapping posts with Chotnarin Kerdsom, who previously served as the governor of Songkhla.

Anutin said the transfers were proposed by the Interior Ministry’s permanent secretary, Arsit Sampantharat, with the aim of “improving performance”.

The high-level conflict and resulting transfers came just weeks after PM Anutin visited Phuket in May to witness its problems first-hand. The PM declared that his government would not tolerate criminal behaviour such as beach encroachment and threats by “mafia” to drive residents off public land.

“We have to send in people who have no conflicts so they can work together harmoniously. Phuket has economic significance, generating enormous income for the country,” the prime minister said.

‘Just a political farce’

However, opposition MPs described the high-level transfers as a “political farce” that would have no impact on the influential people behind Phuket’s corrupt business practices.

MP Chayachana Dechdecho, deputy leader of the opposition Democrat Party, said tougher scrutiny and tighter law enforcement were needed to combat Phuket’s dark business networks. He also called on authorities to investigate alleged links between corrupt island figures and certain national politicians.

He pointed out that transferring deputy governors to the same posts in other provinces was not a punishment. “I see it as a farce aimed at deceiving people,” he said.

MP Pukkamon Nunarnan, from the opposition-leading People's Party, described the transfers as political drama aimed at paving the way for “a rearrangement of power” in the province.

She said that senior officials linked to beach encroachment should be investigated and punished if found guilty.

“The public is not interested in personal conflicts. Far more important is tackling the dark influences, conflicts of interest, and bribery,” the opposition MP said.

Assoc Prof Olarn Thinbangtieo, deputy dean at Burapha University’s Faculty of Political Science, argued that the Phuket case highlights systemic corruption and bribery within Thailand’s flawed bureaucracy.

“Phuket’s problems have accumulated over many years, and the transfer of senior officials will not make any difference,” Olarn said, pointing to structural loopholes that make it easy for bureaucrats to accept bribes from criminal figures.

He urged PM Anutin and the government to use the crisis to reform the bureaucracy.

Thailand fell to a 19-year low in the global Corruption Perceptions Index published in February, ranking 116th out of 182 countries. Anutin responded by vowing to accelerate anti-graft efforts and forming a national Anti-Corruption Coordinating Committee, which he chairs.

However, critics point to the Phuket controversy as a glaring example of the government’s ongoing failure to clamp down on the country’s institutional corruption.