Anutin visits Phuket's Freedom Beach, apologizes for delayed response
Anutin visits Phuket's Freedom Beach, apologizes for delayed response — confirmed details at this stage for Phuket readers.
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Freedom Beach in Phuket at 5.20pm on May 13 to follow up on the crackdown on alleged national forest encroachment near the beach. Arriving by helicopter from Surat Thani, he met people gathered at the beach access point and told them not to be afraid, while apologizing for his delayed visit after reports they had been threatened, driven out and assaulted by influential figures.
Encroachment cases span 58 rai and 23 complaints
Provincial authorities had earlier inspected land near Freedom Beach in Karon and adjoining areas linked to Patong after receiving complaints. Officials said they seized land, made arrests and filed 23 cases covering more than 58 rai, with 17 people arrested.
On May 12, one more suspect surrendered to investigators at Karon Police Station in connection with alleged encroachment near the beach. Anutin later said the investigation into public land encroachment at Freedom Beach had been completed and suspects had been arrested from May 12.
Anutin also received briefings from the assistant minister to the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, the Phuket provincial defense office, Phuket Provincial Police and the Phuket governor on the dispute and related prosecutions. He ordered responsible agencies to speed up action, prevent further impacts and collect information for a more systematic management plan for Freedom Beach and future use of the area.
Source: https://www.thairath.co.th/news/politic/2932602
