Phuket marine officials reopen Mai Khao waterway encroachment case
Phuket marine officials are reviewing new evidence from five Mai Khao homeowners in a waterway encroachment dispute that has remained unresolved since 2017.
The Phuket Marine Office has reopened review of a long-running Mai Khao waterway encroachment case after five homeowners submitted new documents seeking reconsideration of decisions linked to properties under dispute since 2017.
The review was discussed at a meeting on Wednesday, June 18, at Phuket Provincial Hall chaired by Phuket Regional Marine Office Director Adoon Raluekmoon. Representatives from the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center Region 3, Phuket Internal Security Operations Command, Tha Chatchai Police, Mai Khao OrBorTor, the Phuket Damrongtham Centre, public representatives, assistants to Members of Parliament and other agencies attended.
Officials examined new evidence filed by five residents in the Hua Tha-Ton Do community at Baan Ko-En, Moo 2, Mai Khao, concerning structures alleged to encroach on a river. The Phuket Marine Office said it had accepted the submissions for review under the Administrative Procedure Act after the applications were lodged in 2025, but said acceptance of the documents does not guarantee approval.
According to the Marine Department, more than 50 houses in the community have already received legal permits, while the remaining five properties still face documentation problems.
Officials said one property had previously been granted a permit that was later revoked after investigators found that a house registration from another building had been used in support of the application. The other four applications were rejected because supporting documents were submitted after the legal deadline.
The department said a 2017 National Council for Peace and Order order gave occupants of structures encroaching on waterways or coastal areas 60 days to apply for permits, while authorities had 180 days to verify evidence and determine eligibility. Applicants were required to prove that their structures existed within the legally prescribed period.
Officials said the new submissions would be checked against aerial photographs and other documentary evidence before any decision is made.
The meeting also heard complaints that some structures had been expanded while permit reviews were pending. Authorities reported unauthorised additions of about 40 square metres and said legal proceedings had already been launched, including demolition orders for the illegal extensions.
Agencies agreed to conduct another on-site inspection on Thursday, June 19, to verify the location, condition and characteristics of the structures and gather any further evidence before submitting a final report to senior officials and the Committee for Resolving Problems of the Assembly of the Poor under the Office of the Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister.
Adoon said the review would be carried out according to the law and based only on verified evidence. He said authorities were aiming to reach a conclusion by the end of June.
Separately on Wednesday afternoon, Phuket ISOC held a seminar with provincial agencies on wider issues involving public land use and changes to Phuket's coastal boundaries. Agencies discussed verification of rights over state land affected by alleged encroachment and measures to ensure public land is used for genuine public benefit. ISOC Phuket said the conclusions would be sent urgently to relevant agencies for further action.
