MNRE inspector-general orders action on Phuket environment issues

Kantaphan Phisalsukskul, inspector-general of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, chaired an inspection meeting in Phuket on May 9 at the Upper Andaman Sea Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre at Cape Panwa. An official report said the session focused on monitoring and urgently addressing environmental and natural resource problems across the island.

A major issue was the long-running land dispute in the Bang Khanun forest area. Officials were told to speed compensation efforts, with the Royal Thai Navy assigned as the lead coordinating agency.

Agencies told to unify forest and landslide responses

The ministry ordered the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources and related agencies to create a unified “Single Map” database of forest encroachment cases. The report said the database is intended to support more effective criminal and civil legal action.

Rainy-season landslide risks also drew instructions for faster mitigation. The Department of Mineral Resources was tasked with expediting installation of soil mass monitoring equipment in the Kamala mountain range.

The Department of Water Resources, working with the Phuket Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment, was told to study water diversion routes in the Khao Nakkerd area. The aim is to reduce landslide risk, particularly in Kata.

Tourist safety, waste control and water planning on agenda

Tourist safety was another main topic, with officials discussing plans to develop Freedom Beach as a sustainable model recreational forest area. The report did not explain the issues surrounding death threats against a Phuket MP who has led a probe into illegal encroachment on protected forest land there.

Environmental management measures included plans to work with local authorities in Sirinat National Park on an integrated waste management system. Officials also confirmed random inspections would continue at hotels and other businesses to check wastewater treatment compliance with Environmental Impact Assessment requirements.

Authorities are also coordinating with the ministry’s Information and Communication Technology Centre to prepare helicopter emergency response support, known as “Sky Doctor”. Relevant agencies were additionally assigned to study possible reservoir expansion near protected forest areas to strengthen long-term water security.

Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/mnre-inspector-general-visits-phuket-100173.php