Freedom Beach encroachment suspect surrenders at Karon Police Station
Mr Parinthorn (surname withheld), 51, presented himself to investigators at Karon Police Station yesterday (May 12) in connection with alleged encroachment on protected forest areas at Freedom Beach.
A 51-year-old suspect in the Freedom Beach encroachment case surrendered at Karon Police Station in Phuket on May 12, police said. Mr Parinthorn, whose surname was withheld and who is also known as “Mr L,” presented himself to investigators over alleged encroachment on protected forest land, where officers formally charged, questioned and fingerprinted him.
Police said the four cases tied to Parinthorn cover protected forest plots recorded as 9 rai, 3 ngan and 40 square wah in Case No. 224/2569, 50 square wah in Case No. 227/2569, 1 ngan and 4 square wah in Case No. 228/2569, and 82 square wah in Case No. 229/2569.
Inspection links disputed land to protected reserve
Assistant Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Pol Maj Gen Nanthachart Supamongkol led an inspection at Freedom Beach on May 12 with senior provincial, forestry and land reform officials. The operation was coordinated with the Agricultural Land Reform Office, the Internal Security Operations Command and local administrative agencies.
An official inspection report distributed by the Phuket branch of the PR Department said encroachment on the protected area had persisted for more than 10 years. The same report said investigators believe caretakers had managed the land on behalf of the original owner since 2015, then later took control after the owner’s death and legal action over allegedly illegal title documents.
MP Chalermpong Saengdee said GPS surveys confirmed parts of the disputed area lie inside the Khao Nakkered National Forest Reserve under protections set by a 1973 ministerial regulation. He said the conduct may violate both the National Forest Reserve Act and the Forest Act, exposing those involved to possible prison terms, fines and compensation claims for environmental damage.
Wider probe targets access fees and financial trail
The PR Department report said public hiking trails were blocked and entrance fees of B200 to B300 were collected under claims the money would fund maintenance and waste management. It also said investigators alleged forged land title documents were used in attempts to enter claims into official land databases.
Chalermpong called for an Anti-Money Laundering Office investigation after a multi-agency meeting at Karon Police Station. He said the broader investigation has produced 23 legal cases involving 17 suspects across more than 57 rai of protected forest land in Karon and Patong.
He also said several structures remain on the land, some completed and others still under construction. Seized items included 10 structures, construction equipment and four excavators.
Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/freedom-beach-suspect-surrenders-over-land-encroachment-100214.php
