Anutin blasts alleged corrupt officials in Phuket Freedom Beach encroachment case

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on May 13 condemned alleged corrupt officials linked to the Freedom Beach encroachment case in Phuket, calling their actions “disgusting” during an inspection of disputed land. He visited the site to monitor investigations into illegal construction on protected land and said the beach could have been turned into a fully private resort project without government intervention.

The case drew wider attention after People’s Party MP Chaloempong “Sam” Saengdee said he received death threats while probing illegal occupation at Freedom Beach and nearby land in the Khao Nak Kerd National Forest in Kathu district.

Encroachment allegations center on resort project and beach access fee

Chaloempong said parts of the protected forest had been converted into a luxury resort development. He also said visitors were charged 300 baht to enter the beach despite the land being public.

The MP alleged that some forest plots were sold illegally to foreign investors for more than 18 million baht. Anutin said those behind the operation had intended to take over the entire beach for private use.

He told reporters the development could have become a resort or hotel complex if authorities had not stepped in. Officials are now preparing demolition procedures for structures alleged to have been built inside the reserved forest area to return the land to public use.

Probe expands from threats case to possible official involvement

Chaloempong said his inquiry led to a shooting threat tied to a suspect allegedly involved in the encroachment network. The suspect was later identified as Parinthon “Sia Lek” Rueangrattanawanich.

Sia Lek later surrendered at Karon Police Station and denied allegations involving both the forest encroachment and threats against the MP. He remains in custody at Phuket Provincial Court while legal proceedings continue.

Anutin said he believed some local officials had helped facilitate the scheme, questioning how large construction works could have proceeded without the knowledge of responsible officers. He specifically referred to a resort and a staircase of about 300 steps as projects unlikely to have escaped official notice.

He said investigations would continue to identify everyone connected to the operation and added that authorities suspect similar organized land encroachment networks may be operating elsewhere in Thailand.

Source: https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/pm-condemns-phuket-officials-over-freedom-beach-encroachment