Legal action advances over Rawai Khao Daeng land encroachment
The action follows an inspection on Tuesday (Apr 28), ordered by the Phuket City District Chief, with administrative officers and personnel from the Volunteer Defence Corps (OrSor) joining Rawai Municipality officials…
Legal action over the Rawai Khao Daeng encroachment in Phuket is moving ahead after officials inspected a disputed site in Moo 1, Rawai, near Laem Phromthep on Tuesday, April 28. The inspection, ordered by the Phuket City District Chief, followed complaints of illegal land use and involved administrative officers, Volunteer Defence Corps personnel and Rawai Municipality officials.
Officials said the site lies within the Khao Daeng Protected Forest Area. Investigators found leveled ground, an access road formed with rocks and soil, and machinery placed on public land.
Inspection findings and penalties
Chalong Police Chief Pol Col Surasak Jaidee said Rawai Municipality filed a formal complaint alleging trespass on state land under the Land Code. He said the offence carries a penalty of up to three years in prison, a fine of up to B10,000, or both.
Pol Col Surasak said the complaint was first filed last year and charges have already been brought. He declined to identify those charged, say how many people face charges or confirm when they were filed.
He added that the encroached area is adjacent to privately owned land and next to a private project. Police said the investigation found clear evidence that public land had been used.
Restoration order and wider scrutiny
Deputy District Chief Akkra Suwattikul said the district office received complaints about misuse of public land and confirmed the encroachment after its investigation. He said Rawai Municipality had already filed a police report in 2024 and the case is now proceeding through legal channels.
Rawai Municipality has ordered the business operator to remove all rocks and machinery and restore the land to its original condition. Akkra said any further encroachment, or failure to comply with the order, would bring additional legal action.
The case comes amid longer-running concern over protected land around Laem Phromthep. In November, Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee said he found encroachment in the same area and alleged that seven prefabricated buildings were being developed on protected land.
At that time, he also said residents had been offered compensation packages of B1 million per household for land needed for an access road, with deductions for land purchase, house construction and registration. He further cited encroachment pressure in Wichit, saying the Khao Khad Forest Reserve had fallen from 2,000 rai to about 800 rai.
Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/rawai-khao-daeng-encroachment-prompts-legal-action-100088.php
