Phuket –
Phuket authorities are pressing forward with a sweeping campaign against unlawful land holdings by foreign investors, sending 39 cases to police investigators and examining an additional 317 suspected violations.
Governor Chotnarin Kedsom, chairing the second provincial police committee meeting of 2026, confirmed that the province is enforcing the Interior Ministry’s urgent directive to tackle land encroachment and nominee arrangements. The crackdown targets foreign nationals who acquire land through Thai proxies, a practice prohibited under Thai law.
Legal Action Underway
- 39 cases with clear evidence have already been referred to investigators for prosecution.
- 317 more companies and individuals are under review, with the Board of Investment (BOI) verifying whether foreign shareholders improperly sought privileges despite lacking land ownership rights.
- The BOI has already confirmed irregularities in 30 cases, with further checks ongoing.
Governor Chotnarin stated that even plots with formal land documents will be scrutinized if there are doubts about the legitimacy of their issuance. “Ownership rights, land encroachment, and document authenticity are interconnected issues. Every suspicious case must be investigated thoroughly,” he said.
Authorities are focusing on four high-profile zones:
- Sirinat National Park
- Freedom Beach
- Bang Tao Beach
- Nui Beach
Encroachers have been ordered to vacate, with officials prepared to enforce removal through public notices under forestry and national park laws. In Bang Tao, district officials reported that some illegal structures are already being dismantled.
