A criminal gang based in Russia has established its influence in the tourist island of Phuket with help from local officials, MP Chuwit Kamolvisit said on Thursday.

Mr Chuvit, a Rak Thailand Party list MP, said the gang, called “Spachiba”, used Phuket to launder dirty money by encroaching on national forests and investing in luxury housing estates and five-star hotels.

Read more: Bangkok Post