Officials discussed the issue with local leaders and business representatives at Phuket Provincial Hall last week at a meeting chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Suwit Phansengiam.
Also in attendance were Rewat Areerob, President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO); Lt Cdr Phongsakorn Itsamut of the Phuket branch of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc); and Phuket MP Somchat Techathaworncharoen.
Participants included officials from the Phuket Provincial Livestock Office, Public Health Office and municipalities across the province, as well as private business representatives from pig slaughterhouses, carcass traders and local distributor SuperCheap Co Ltd.
The meeting came in response to enforcement of a 2022 order by the Phuket City Municipality mandating the closure of unlicensed slaughterhouses, following updated regulations from the Phuket Provincial Livestock Office.
With only two licensed private slaughterhouses currently operating in the province ‒ and unable to meet the total demand ‒ many operators had continued slaughtering animals outside authorised facilities, raising public health concerns.
During the discussion, officials and stakeholders worked to find a temporary solution that balances legal requirements with the urgent needs of affected business operators and the public.
Key outcomes from the meeting included:
- Registration and Hygiene Compliance: All 11 previously unlicensed slaughterhouse operators must register their intent to reestablish operations in their original locations. They must also meet standards for sanitation, safety and humane practices, with a commitment to minimising public disturbance.
- Legal Appeal: Operators are encouraged to petition the Phuket Administrative Court to revoke the order barring them from operating. They may also request temporary relief to allow continued operations while the court deliberates.
- Temporary Exemption: The Phuket Provincial Livestock Office has been tasked with submitting a request to the Governor to consider the public impact and propose a temporary exemption. If approved, it would allow limited slaughtering outside licensed facilities under Section 39 of the Animal Slaughter Control Act (B.E. 2559).
- New Facility Planning: Phuket City Municipality and the PPAO will collaborate to identify a new site for a centralised slaughterhouse. If located outside city limits, the area will fall under the PPAO’s jurisdiction, with Phuket City Municipality providing funding for construction.