Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul led a delegation, including Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin and deputy ministers from transport and interior ministries, on an inspection tour of Koh Phangan and Freedom Beach.
Koh Phangan School Briefing and PM’s Remarks
The prime minister first toured Koh Phangan Suksaak School, where officials updated him on initiatives to stop foreign business operations using Thai nominees, which violate the Foreign Business Act.
Addressing residents and officials at the school, Anutin emphasized the government’s focus on tackling illegal business activities and land encroachments. “We understand foreign tourists bring money and boost the economy, but we want legitimate spending from visitors who travel, relax, and enjoy themselves, not conduct businesses illegally. That is unacceptable because this is our home,” he stated.
Anutin affirmed the government’s dedication to welcoming tourists with convenience while protecting local jobs. “We must preserve the environment and keep our beaches beautiful. Nobody has the right to claim ownership over public beaches in front of villas or hotels because beaches belong to everyone,” he added. He stressed that land allocation should benefit locals directly, not allow individuals, groups, or companies to subdivide it for profit.
This marked Anutin’s first official visit to Koh Phangan to monitor illegal activities impacting residents and restore order. Officials aim to keep the island a top tourism spot where locals earn fair livelihoods and maintain high living standards.
Police Raids and Business Scrutiny
Authorities launched a coordinated crackdown on Koh Phangan, raiding 32 sites tied to suspected nominee business networks. The island hosts 3,754 registered entities, with 2,381 involving foreign shareholders. Investigators are examining 243 firms, identifying 27 linked to nominee structures and ownership of 37 land plots valued at around 150 million baht.
Freedom Beach Inspection in Phuket
Anutin later visited Freedom Beach in Phuket’s Kathu district. Provincial authorities, forestry officials, and police detailed legal actions against suspected encroachers and influential groups in the area.
On Tuesday, a 51-year-old suspect named Parintr surrendered at Karon police station, facing charges in four forest encroachment cases spanning over 10 rai near Freedom Beach. Probes arose from complaints about powerful groups occupying protected forest land and attempting sales to foreigners.
Chalermpong Saengdee, an opposition People’s Party MP for Phuket, highlighted the encroachment crisis, noting Phuket’s heavy reliance on natural resources and tourism.
This year, authorities filed 23 cases involving encroachments and seizures in protected forests around Freedom Beach, covering areas in Karon and Patong subdistricts within the Nak Kerd mountain forest reserve.
