Law
Phuket MP Investigates Financial Trails Linked to Thalang Drug Checkpoint Allegations
A Phuket Member of Parliament has presented evidence of suspicious bank transfers allegedly linked to extortion at a drug checkpoint in Thalang district.
On September 20, 2026, Chalermpong Saengdee, a Member of Parliament for Phuket’s 2nd District, publicly raised concerns regarding alleged corruption at a drug checkpoint in Thalang, Phuket. According to Khaosod Online, the MP is investigating claims that officials demanded payments ranging from 6,000 to 15,000 THB from detained individuals in exchange for their release.
Mr. Chalermpong shared evidence on his social media, including bank transfer records showing transactions of 6,500 THB and 10,000 THB, suggesting that funds may have been funneled into private accounts. He has called for relevant authorities to conduct a thorough audit of these financial trails to determine the ultimate beneficiaries of these payments. This development follows previous reports that led the Phuket Governor to order the replacement of the entire volunteer security team (Or Sor) operating the checkpoint.
For residents and travelers, this situation highlights ongoing scrutiny regarding the conduct of local security checkpoints. While the investigation is active, it remains to be confirmed which specific individuals received the funds and whether these actions were part of a broader systemic issue. Authorities have not yet concluded their formal inquiry into the financial evidence presented by the MP. Observers are advised to monitor official updates from the Phuket provincial administration regarding the outcome of the investigation.
