Thailand’s Interior Ministry plans to revise outdated laws and zoning rules in Phuket to attract investment, while also investigating land ownership disputes and tightening enforcement on public land use.
PHUKET, Thailand – The Ministry of Interior plans to amend decades-old regulations and urban planning rules to improve the business environment and attract investment to the resort island of Phuket, deputy ministers said on Thursday. Deputy Interior Ministers Phonpee Suwanchawee and Vorasit Liengprasit visited Patong and Freedom Beach on June 17 to gather feedback from local entrepreneurs. Vorasit stated that some ministerial regulations and laws, which have been in place for 10 to 20 years, are outdated and need revision to align with current economic and social realities. The government aims to make legal compliance easier for businesses while ensuring fair treatment, he added.
Phonpee emphasized that as a major economic and tourism hub, Phuket’s development must balance economic growth with public land preservation. The ministry is investigating land title deeds in disputed beachfront areas following complaints over public land encroachment. The Department of Lands is currently coordinating with Phuket provincial authorities to audit approximately 200 foreign-linked companies with property holdings. Any legal violations will face strict enforcement, officials said. The ministry also held meetings on Thursday to discuss waste management solutions and updates to city zoning plans to accommodate local businesses while protecting public interests. (TNA)
