Phuket forestry officials order removal of structures at Nui Beach by July 9

Forestry officials in Phuket have posted a formal order requiring the removal of unauthorized structures and crops at Nui Beach in Karon, saying occupants must complete the demolition by July 9, 2026, or authorities will carry it out themselves.

The order covers land in the Nak Koet mountain national reserved forest at Nui Beach, Soi Laem Mum Nok, Moo 2, Karon, Mueang Phuket district. According to the report, the notice cites Section 25 of the National Reserved Forest Act of 1964 and its amendments, and instructs occupants to leave the reserved forest area or stop actions that damage or degrade the land, including removing or altering harmful structures.

The announcement was delivered by Sampan Meesit, director of the Phuket Forest Center, and Thanandorn Phetdee, a senior forestry officer representing the director-general of the Royal Forest Department. They were joined by Thitichai Siamlek, deputy district chief of Mueang Phuket, Pol. Lt. Col. Wiwat Chamnankit, deputy chief of Karon Police, and officers from the Phuket Forest Protection Unit.

Officials posted the warning at the entrance to Nui Beach and affixed the official notice, signed by Royal Forest Department director-general Nikorn Sirarojananon, to the front wall of a building within the disputed area. Representatives of the land occupants were present to observe the posting.

Thanandorn said the Nui Beach area involved in the encroachment case covers more than 15 rai. He said 39 structures are subject to demolition in this round, including remnants from an earlier removal in 2020, fencing that obstructs officials' work, and 36 additional structures seized in 2024.

He said forestry officials, local administrative officials and police jointly posted the notice because the landholders did not appear in person to acknowledge receipt of the order. Public posting was therefore necessary for the order to take legal effect, he said.

If the structures are not removed by July 9, forestry officials will proceed with demolition and the occupants will be held responsible for the costs incurred by the state, according to the report.

The report said officials first inspected and seized the Nui Beach site in July 2018. Phuket Provincial Court later ruled that offenses had been committed under the Forest Act of 1941, the National Reserved Forest Act of 1964, the Land Code, and the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act of 1992 in two cases. The Region 8 Court of Appeal upheld both lower court rulings.

The landholders have since filed appeals with the Supreme Court and lodged a case with the Administrative Court, which remains under review, the report said.

The latest action follows a visit to Nui Beach on May 14, 2026 by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin and his delegation after complaints from residents and local leaders over the blocking of beach access and the collection of passage fees in the area. The report said locals and beachgoers had also complained about being illegally charged to visit Nui and Freedom beaches. It said Suchart's visit came one day after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul inspected the site during a provincial tour.