Phuket officials reclaim more than 5 rai of encroached Bang Tao Beach land

Phuket officials on Wednesday launched an operation to reclaim more than five rai of public land illegally occupied along Bang Tao Beach in Cherng Talay, Thalang. The Bang Tao Beach crackdown was ordered by Governor Nirun Phongsitthithavorn and Deputy Governor Adul Chuthong, with Provincial Clerk Rungrueng Thimabutr leading a multi-agency task force.

The operation involved Thalang District officers, the Phuket Forest Center, the Cherng Talay Subdistrict Administrative Organization and other agencies. Officials said the occupied beachfront was classified as public land under Thailand’s Land Act and the Forest Act of 1941.

Restaurants, fencing and summonses found in beach land seizure

Investigators found investors had fenced off the site, charged access fees and subleased plots to operators. Authorities identified at least 16 restaurants and other structures on the land.

Officials documented the encroachments, seized the area and prepared summonses for those involved. Authorities said future violations would face prosecution without exception.

Rungrueng said the action followed the governor’s policy to restore order and transparency on beaches. He said inspections would be expanded to other areas as the province moves to reclaim encroached public beach land across the island.

Source: https://thephuketexpress.com/2026/04/30/authorities-reclaim-encroached-land-at-bang-tao-beach/