Prime Minister Visits Phuket for Crackdown on Beach Encroachment

Phuket, May 10, 2026

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Bang Tao Beach in Thalang District today to oversee enforcement against illegal encroachment of public land. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring order and protecting public spaces, declaring that “there must be no mafia or influential figures” controlling the area.

Anutin stressed that the state will act decisively against individuals or groups who unlawfully occupy or lease public land for commercial use, including restaurants and unauthorized structures. Such actions, he said, constitute violations of both criminal and civil law. Authorities will pursue legal measures against those who exploit state land or deceive citizens into signing fraudulent rental agreements.

At the same time, the Prime Minister acknowledged the plight of local entrepreneurs and residents who may have entered into leases in good faith. He pledged that the government will explore ways to support those affected, ensuring they can continue earning a livelihood within the boundaries of the law and without harming natural resources.

The original version of this article appeared on our sister website, The Phuket Express, owned by our parent company TPN media.

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Goong Nang Suksawat
Goong Nang is a News Translator who has worked professionally for multiple news organizations in Thailand for more than nine years and has worked with The Pattaya News for more than six years. Specializes primarily in local news for Phuket, Pattaya, and also some national news, with emphasis on translation between Thai to English and working as an intermediary between reporters and English-speaking writers. Originally from Nakhon Si Thammarat, but lives in Phuket and Krabi except when commuting between the three.