PHUKET — Phuket has become a focus of the Royal Thai Police as local authorities step up efforts to crack down on illegal businesses run by foreigners in the province.
Pol.Maj.Gen. Pornchai Khajornklin, Deputy Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 8, together with Police Maj-Gen Sinlert Sukhum, Commander of Phuket Provincial Police, and other relevant officers, held a press conference on May 26 announcing the results of coordinated raids and searches at locations linked to foreign mafia groups illegally operating businesses in Phuket and taking jobs from Thai nationals.
The extensive investigations led to operations at seven locations, resulting in four arrests and the seizure of 255 items. The main cases include:
Raid Against “Grey Chinese” Networks
Police raided a luxury car rental company (TOYOTA ALPHARD) linked to a Chinese national previously arrested in Phuket. As revealed in April, the suspect used Thai proxies to operate various businesses, including restaurants, international schools, car hire companies, hotels and luxury villas, worth over 1 billion baht.
Further investigation revealed that the suspect operated a high-end car rental business under the name “GRQ ALPHARD CLUB” and used unexplained funds to purchase vehicles and solicit foreign customers through social media. This disrupted local car hire businesses and displaced Thai operators. Police filed charges against seven members of the network and issued arrest warrants for all of them. Two have been arrested, four have fled the country and one is still at large.
Australian Case of Mafia and Gun Ownership
Investigations into a case involving illegal firearms and an Australian gang that stole cryptocurrencies from another Australian citizen led police to identify the gang’s leader, Mr Billy, as the owner of several businesses. Search warrants were issued for a cannabis growing facility, a bud boutique, a tattoo shop and a flat in Patong.
Authorities also raided a car rental company in Choeng Thale, Phuket, based on leads from a similar case in Bophut, Koh Samui, where an Israeli-owned car rental company had previously been busted. The investigation revealed that the foreign suspect had also opened a business in Phuket. At the EDRIVE RENTAL branch in Choeng Thale, a Russian national was arrested and the authorities confiscated 9 cars and 46 motorbikes for further investigation.
Unauthorised Cannabis Processing Plant
Officers from Provincial Police Region 8, Phuket Provincial Police and Phuket Health Department raided a cannabis processing factory operating without a licence. Although the company claimed to be Thai-owned, investigators suspect that it is actually a foreign company using a Thai authorised agent.
Police Major General Pornchai explained that these raids were based on previous cases and are just the beginning. The authorities are preparing further operations targeting even larger foreign criminal networks that interfere with Thai livelihoods.
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