A BIG shakeup occurred in Phuket today (May 20) with the deputy provincial governor, three district chiefs and a Provincial Disaster Prevention official being temporarily transferred after owners of Patong entertainment venues mounted a protest over alleged bribery and extortion to prevent tampering with evidence, Amarin TV said.
Mr. Narucha Khosasilai, director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration, issued an order temporarily shunting them out after complaints by representatives of entertainment venues at Patong beach went viral online amid concern this may affect the image of the Interior Ministry, particularly this department, and erode public confidence in government agencies.
Their temporary transfer, from May 25 to June 24, 2026, is also aimed at expediting the fact-finding process and ensuring fairness to all parties.
The five senior officials and their new duties are as follows:
– Mr. Rungruang Thimabut, Phuket’s deputy governor, has been assigned to assist at the College of Local Administration, Department of Local Administration;
– Mr. Siwat Rawangkul, Phuket City district chief, has been assigned to assist at the Local Administration Management Office, Department of Provincial Administration;
– Ms. Wilailak Rueangphol, Thalang district chief, has been assigned to assist the Academic and Planning Division, Department of Provincial Administration;
– Mr. Akkarapol Suthirak Jitsupap, Kathu district chief, has been assigned to assist the Communication Division, Department of Provincial Administration;
– Mr. Danai Sukskul, Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention officer, has been assigned to assist at the Department Secretariat Office, Department of Provincial Administration.
This step was taken because Narucha did not want the five senior officers to tamper with the evidence after owners and employees of entertainment venues in Soi Bangla, Patong beach, staged a protest opposing extortion and bribery by government officials. They also demanded that relevant agencies expedite the resolution of business licensing issues and ensure fairness for business owners in the area.
This also aligns with the visit of Prime Minister/Interior Anutin Charnvirakul to Phuket on May 10 to follow up on the issue of influential figures encroaching on public land at Freedom Beach, where he emphasised the need for a systematic solution to the problem.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page – The atmosphere and vibe of Soi Bangla at Phuket’s Patong beach. Photo: Shankar S. (CC BY 2.0)
Insert – Director-General of Department of Provincial Administration Narucha Khosasilai. Photo – Amarin TV
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