The meeting, chaired by Phuket Governor Saransak Srikruanetra, took place at 9am on Friday (Oct 24) at Phuket Provincial Hall.
Also in attendance were Vice Governor Adul Chuthong, Phuket Provincial Police Chief Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum, Deputy Chief of the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) Banphot Panklueb and Thongthai Somkiatkun from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau Region 8, along with members of the Phuket branch of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc Phuket).
The meeting followed a live broadcast from Buriram, where Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Saram presided over the opening ceremony of the national campaign ‘Uniting Power, Love and Faith to Address the Integrated Drug Problem’.
The campaign outlines a central government’s ‘Quick Big Win – Implement Immediately in 4 Months’ strategy, which calls for accelerated, integrated action in every province to prevent and suppress drug activity nationwide.
Governor Saransak reaffirmed Phuket’s commitment to the national policy, noting that three Deputy Governors have been assigned to oversee coordinated drug prevention operations across each district.
“We are integrating efforts among the police, public health agencies and local administrative organisations,” he said. “While the drug situation in Phuket has already decreased by 49%, we must continue to focus on prevention, suppression and rehabilitation to achieve lasting success.”
Vice Governor Adul stressed that the province’s operations are aligned with key government indicators, including measurable results and continuous public satisfaction surveys.
“Phuket’s strength lies in integration ‒ between the public, private and people sectors ‒ to deliver visible progress,” he said.
Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum reported that Phuket’s geographic isolation from major trafficking routes helps keep the situation under control.
“Most cases involve small-scale local dealers,” he said. “Our officers continue to track, monitor and arrest offenders in line with annual enforcement targets.”
Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Thiraphong Chuaychu suggested additional measures to prevent drug-related issues among migrant workers, proposing mandatory urine tests before issuing new work permits.
Dr Banphot outlined ongoing rehabilitation and treatment efforts, with Vachira Phuket, Patong, Chalong and Thalang hospitals all providing specialist drug treatment services.
“We aim to expand our network of treatment and ‘post-drug rehabilitation’ centres to help recovering addicts reintegrate into society,” he said.
According to the Phuket Provincial Drug Situation Report, there were 238 arrests for drug offences (excluding kratom and marijuana) in September 2025 ‒ down 4.3% from August. Over the 2025 fiscal year (Oct 2024–Sept 2025), a total of 2,965 drug-related arrests were recorded, an increase of 1.4% from the previous year.
The most common substances seized were methamphetamine (ya bah), crystal meth (ya ice), cocaine and heroin. Police noted that major trafficking networks remain concentrated in Thailand’s northern border provinces, while smaller networks in Phuket operate through rented properties and online distribution channels.
Authorities also observed a worrying trend of youths and migrant workers entering the drug trade as small-scale distributors.
Governor Saransak closed the meeting by calling for continued support of community-level initiatives, including the ‘To Be Number One’ youth development project and the ‘White Village, Free from Drugs’ campaign, alongside the Mother of the Land Fund, aimed at building stronger and more resilient communities.
He emphasised that Phuket’s combined efforts reflect the government’s serious intent to make the island a safe tourist destination and sustainable, drug-free society.
“This is not just a policy ‒ it is our shared responsibility,” Governor Saransak said. “With unity and determination, Phuket can and will remain a model province in the fight against drugs.”