UPDATE: Phuket forest probe covers Big Buddha shops and Baan Krating Resort

The Royal Forestry Department has expanded its crackdown on alleged forest encroachment in Phuket, sending more than 160 officials to inspect eight locations across the island from 3 to 5 August 2026.

The operation is part of the government’s Phuket Model policy to reclaim illegally occupied land. Royal Forestry Department deputy director-general Phatpong Samittipat said it followed information from the Internal Security Operations Command about suspected encroachment. Officials said the wider campaign also aims to prevent illegal excavation and activities that could increase the risk of landslides.

Inspections are taking place in Thep Krasattri and Choeng Thale in Thalang district, as well as Sri Sunthorn, Rawai, Kamala and Patong. The operation also covers Paradise Patong restaurant. Mr Phatpong said the restaurant was reportedly linked to an influential figure, without providing further details.

On 4 August, officials from multiple agencies carried out coordinated raids at four Phuket locations as part of the ongoing Reclaiming Phuket Forests campaign, The Phuket News reported. The sites were Nui Beach near Karon Viewpoint, also known as Three Bays Viewpoint; the Big Buddha area and access road within the Nakkerd National Forest Reserve in Chalong; Baan Krathing; and Samnaksong Koh Kaew Phitsadan, the temple on Koh Kaew Yai just south of Laem Phromthep. The four-location figure refers to that day’s raids and does not replace the separately reported eight-location total for the wider operation running from 3 to 5 August.

At Big Buddha, inspectors checked businesses along the mountain road, including shops, restaurants, cafes, guesthouses, elephant camps and other tourism-related premises. The Phuket News reported that almost all had closed before the inspection, with many covering their premises with shade netting, leaving the normally busy roadside unusually quiet.

Authorities said anyone living or operating a business within the forest reserve must produce valid land ownership documents or permits. Some plots may be held by private individuals with land title deeds, but officials will verify whether those documents were legally issued. Where no documentation is available, officials will survey the site, record GPS coordinates, collect evidence and submit their findings to investigating officers before issuing seizure notices and prohibiting further use of the land in accordance with the law. Inspections can proceed even when property owners or occupants are absent.

Phuket National Anti-Corruption Commission chief Suwat Saowarun said investigators estimate that at least 40 commercial premises along the Big Buddha route require inspection, excluding residential properties. Those homes will be assessed individually to determine whether occupants have legal rights to remain.

Mr Suwat said the businesses had lease agreements directly with the Phra Phutthaming Mongkol Sattha 45 Foundation, which operated the Big Buddha Viewpoint for decades. However, investigators were unable to examine lease documents or gather evidence during the operation because every shop was closed. He said the investigation remains ongoing.

The Baan Krathing site listed in the four-location operation was identified in a subsequent report by The Phuket News as Nai Harn’s Baan Krating Resort, near Ao Sane and Laem Krating. The report said the 4 August inspection followed instructions from Phuket Governor Chotinrin Kerdsum and involved complaints alleging encroachment into the Khao Nak Kerd National Forest Reserve.

A representative of the resort presented a title deed covering more than 14 rai and issued in 2010, and said the resort had been operating for nearly 20 years. The property was described as having 37 guest rooms and six ancillary buildings. Forestry officials carried out GPS surveys to record the locations of the buildings and will compare the results with the title deed, aerial imagery and official forest reserve maps. The Land Department will also be asked to verify the legality of the deed. Authorities said legal action could follow if any structures are outside the registered boundaries or if the title deed was issued unlawfully, with the land then reclaimed by the state.

The latest action follows the removal of 500 structures from Nui Beach in July under a court order, ending a decade-long dispute over alleged encroachment at the popular tourist site. Mr Phatpong said the Nui Beach operation was nearly complete, although some areas remained under negotiation with the Agricultural Land Reform Office.

The Royal Forestry Department, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources will continue monitoring Nui Beach to prevent repeat offences, Mr Phatpong said.

Officials also plan to clean up Nui Beach and Laem Krathing Cape before designating them as a recreational forest park. Mr Phatpong said the operations at Nui Beach and Freedom Beach would serve as models for further action, including at Paradise Patong and Wat Phra Yai in Karon.