Kathu forest encroachment suspect reports to police before summons deadline

Apichat, known as Chang Ae, reported to Kathu police with his wife late on 4 November, before a summons deadline, in an investigation into alleged encroachment in a national reserved forest in Phuket.

The couple arrived at Kathu Police Station at about 23:00, according to Kathu police chief Pol Col Chalermchai Hernsawat. Apichat denied all charges and declined to provide a statement, which police said was his legal right.

Police notified him of charges under the National Reserved Forest Act, the Forest Act and the Excavation and Land Filling Act. The investigation concerns the construction of a trail-running course and a shooting range in the reserved forest around the Kamala mountain range in Kathu district.

Police said Apichat and two excavator drivers were among three people linked to the work. The two drivers had previously reported to investigators and also denied the charges. Apichat was released after police completed the required procedure.

Apichat has said the work was carried out on instructions from a person identified as Got Athip. Pol Col Chalermchai said police were currently pursuing the complaint concerning encroachment on reserved forest land. Any investigation into an alleged organiser or employer would require Kathu Town Municipality, the agency involved in overseeing the area, to file an additional complaint, he said.

The case remains under investigation, including whether the municipality will submit a further complaint and whether inquiries will be expanded to other people connected with the work.