Suchart orders clearance of Freedom Beach in Phuket, reclaiming reserved forest, cracking down on encroachment and illegal collection of fees from tourists.

*Suchart orders clearance of Freedom Beach in Phuket, reclaiming reserved forest, cracking down on encroachment and illegal collection of fees from tourists. — confirmed details at this stage for Phuket readers.*

Published: 2026-03-20 07:20 UTC Event date: 2026-03-18

Suchart orders clearance of Freedom Beach in Phuket, reclaiming reserved forest, cracking down on encroachment and illegal collection of fees from tourists

Phuket Freedom Beach crackdown: Government orders urgent action

On 18 March 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin ordered immediate enforcement at Freedom Beach in Phuket to reclaim reserved forest land and halt illegal activities. The directive targets both encroachment into the national reserved forest and the unauthorised collection of fees from tourists visiting the area. The operation was launched in response to ongoing reports of unlawful land use and commercial exploitation in the Karon subdistrict, Mueang district, Phuket.

Joint operation finds multiple violations at Freedom Beach

Nikor Sirirojananon, Director-General of the Royal Forest Department, confirmed that over 100 officers from the Royal Forest Department, the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, Border Patrol Police, and Karon Police Station participated in the inspection. The team focused on the reserved forest area of Nakkerd Mountain Range, which includes Freedom Beach. Officials discovered several violations, including unauthorised occupation and use of forest land, the establishment of retail stalls, and illegal collection of entrance fees from tourists at the beach access points. Additionally, three makeshift cottages were found constructed along the Freedom Road (Karon–Patong) without permission.

Arrests and legal proceedings under forest protection laws

During the operation, authorities detained one individual found in possession of a firearm, ammunition, a chainsaw, and construction equipment. All confiscated items and the suspect were transferred to Karon Police Station for further legal proceedings. The offenses are being prosecuted under the Forest Act B.E. 2484 (1941) and the National Reserved Forest Act B.E. 2507 (1964), with officials emphasising strict enforcement and the possibility of expanding investigations to nearby areas for further encroachment.

Ongoing protection and restoration of Phuket's forest resources

Director-General Nikor Sirirojananon stated that this action aligns with government and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment policy to protect Thailand’s forest resources. The Royal Forest Department will continue to collaborate with all relevant agencies to monitor, prevent, and suppress forest encroachment. Restoration efforts will also be implemented in damaged areas to maintain ecological integrity and biodiversity in Phuket’s reserved forests. Authorities will remain vigilant for further violations and are expected to intensify inspections around Freedom Beach and other sensitive locations in the future.

Source: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiYkFVX3lxTFBkSVRlTWhrSXhYRXJFSVZ5MmtHYUhMb1FMSXp2bzF1V2dmV2dGcXJyanpuQ3lTd3VMVEcyaVdmM2thdW5pc1hOM0hreWh2RkhiTWZHTVhpeXJHZGRCeUwyZnR3?oc=5