Forest Department reclaims 15 rai at Phuket’s Nui Beach, orders demolition
Forest Department reclaims 15 rai at Phuket’s Nui Beach, orders demolition — confirmed details at this stage for Phuket readers.
Thailand’s Royal Forest Department said on May 15 it had moved to reclaim more than 15 rai of encroached land at Nui Beach in Phuket and ordered all unlawful structures removed within seven days. Officials said the site, measured at 15 rai and 49 square wah, lies inside the Nak Koet mountain national reserved forest in Karon and is to be developed into a recreational forest area.
Inspection finds new construction and landscape alteration
The department said a joint operation involving five agencies inspected the area after reports of renewed encroachment and found continued use of the land. Physical checks found additional buildings and altered landscaping intended to support tourism, including cleared ground that left the area more exposed than before.
The reserved forest boundary is covered by Ministry Regulation No. 621 of 1973 issued under the National Reserved Forest Act of 1964. The inspection team included forest officers, Phuket provincial administrative officials, Karon police and Internal Security Operations Command officers in Phuket.
Forest Protection Unit chief Saiyan Duanket filed a complaint with Karon Police on May 14, and investigators formally accepted the case, officials said. Deputy director-general Phatthaphong Smitthiphat said the department would enforce Section 25 of the National Reserved Forest Act to post notices and clear all encroaching structures within one week without waiting for the criminal case to conclude.
Source: https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/news/news-update/1234245
