Phuket: The government is accelerating efforts to resolve the illegal hotel problem, achieving over 75% completion in two months, bringing an end to a long-standing issue that has plagued the country since 2018. The government revealed that in the past two months, 275 hotels in Phuket have had their licenses revoked, leaving only 117 remaining. The government is accelerating efforts to resolve the remaining issues by the end of September.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Ploytalay Laksmisangchan, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed the government's achievements in resolving issues related to unlicensed hotels, suppressing nominee businesses, and maintaining peace and order in Phuket Province, following the directives of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul to expedite and continuously address these problems.
Ms. Ploytalay stated that, as a result of the serious and continuous efforts by the Ministry of Interior and related agencies to address the issue, the pending permit applications for 392 hotels in Phuket since 2018 have been resolved. Currently, Phuket has expedited the review and issuance of permits to 275 hotels, leaving only 117 remaining. It is expected that the process will be completed by September 2026. This represents significant and tangible progress, compared to the previous rate of only 30-40 permits issued per year.
During the past two months of intensive enforcement by the government under Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, over 75% of the process has been achieved. Ms. Ploytalay stated that for those wishing to apply for hotel licenses in Phuket but facing legal and regulatory obstacles, data is being collected to propose improvements and amendments to laws and regulations to ensure fairness and consistency. The government prioritizes safety and wants businesses to operate within the system, free from bribery. The government affirms its commitment to rigorous law enforcement. Many cases have already entered the police investigation process, and many more are under investigation to gather evidence. No case will be overlooked; if any illegal activity is found, decisive action will be taken.