Nine Arrested Over Forest Encroachment and House Construction in Phuket Reserved Forest
Nine people were arrested after authorities found eight houses and animal pens allegedly built on reserved forest and protected forest land in Karon, Mueang Phuket district.
Authorities in Phuket arrested nine people after finding houses and animal pens built on land identified as part of the Nakkเกิด Mountain National Reserved Forest in Karon, Mueang Phuket district, officials said.
The Mueang Phuket District Office said it received a complaint from residents about forest clearing, tree cutting and house construction in a forested area near Soi Khuan Ton, Moo 2, Karon. A special district administrative team, joined by forest protection and land reform officials, inspected the site at 4:30 p.m. on July 14, 2026.
Officials said they found eight structures, including residences and animal pens. Coordinate checks indicated that the site was within both national reserved forest and forest land protected under Thailand's Forest Act.
In the first case, three suspects were arrested while allegedly building a house. Officials seized a metal-cutting grinder, concrete drill, welding machine and chainsaw. They also reported the employer allegedly connected to the encroachment for further legal action.
In the second case, six suspects were arrested after acknowledging that they owned and lived in houses built on the site. Authorities said all nine suspects were charged under the National Reserved Forest Act of 1964, as amended, and the Forest Act of 1941, as amended.
Officials also seized 1 rai, 3 ngan and 22 square wah of land in the Nakkเกิด Mountain National Reserved Forest, along with 4 rai and 76 square wah classified as forest land under the Forest Act.
The suspects and seized items were handed over to investigators at Karon Police Station for further legal proceedings.
