PM Anutin visits Freedom Beach in Phuket over land encroachment case

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul arrived at Freedom Beach in Karon, Phuket, at 5pm on May 13 to follow up a land encroachment case involving public land and protected forest areas. The visit went ahead after an earlier postponement and put the Freedom Beach dispute back at the center of a high-level enforcement push.

He was joined by Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasert, provincial officials, law enforcement officers and community leaders. Residents and business operators also gathered at the site.

Suspect surrenders in four forest encroachment cases

Police at Karon Police Station formally received the surrender of Mr Parin, 51, whose surname was withheld, to face charges in four separate cases of forest reserve encroachment at Freedom Beach, Karon.

Authorities said the investigation had been completed and suspects were arrested the previous day. A separate inspection team led by Pol Maj Gen Nanchat Supamongkol, assistant minister at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, was also deployed to reclaim the beach from illegal occupation.

Inspection follows canceled trip and wider coastal crackdown

The Freedom Beach inspection had originally been scheduled for Sunday but was canceled when Anutin had to travel urgently to Ranong. During Wednesday’s visit, he received reports from relevant agencies and heard concerns raised by people affected by the dispute.

Officials said Anutin told agencies to coordinate legal action, protect citizens’ rights and prepare a fair management plan for the beach. Earlier the same day, he also visited Bang Tao Beach in Thalang to oversee action against illegal encroachment on public land along Phuket’s coastline.

At Bang Tao, Anutin said there must be no mafia or influential figures controlling public areas.

Source: https://thephuketexpress.com/2026/05/13/prime-minister-returns-to-phuket-to-pursue-freedom-beach-encroachment-case/