Suspect surrenders in 4 Freedom Beach forest encroachment cases
Suspect surrenders in 4 Freedom Beach forest encroachment cases — confirmed details at this stage for Phuket readers.
A 51-year-old suspect surrendered at Karon Police Station in Phuket on May 12 to face charges in four Freedom Beach forest encroachment cases, police said. Mr. Parin, whose surname was withheld, is accused in cases covering more than 10 rai of protected land in Karon.
Four case files detail the alleged land damage
Police identified the cases as No. 224/2026, No. 227/2026, No. 228/2026 and No. 229/2026. The largest alleges encroachment on 9 rai, 3 ngan and 40 square wah.
The other three allege encroachment on 50 square wah, 1 ngan and 4 square wah, and 82 square wah. Investigators formally charged the suspect, took his testimony and recorded his fingerprints, Karon Police chief Pol. Col. Patapee Srichai said.
Police said they are coordinating with Phuket forestry officials to compile evidence and move the cases through the judicial process. Officials said the surrender followed months of site inspections and monitoring of illegal land use in the forest reserve.
Crackdown widened along Freedom Beach and the coast
The cases emerged from a broader enforcement drive at Freedom Beach, which lies within the Nak Kerd Mountain National Reserved Forest. More than 100 officers from multiple agencies joined operations there to clear encroachment and other illegal activity.
Authorities had already launched a major operation at the site on March 26, targeting both forest encroachment and intimidation of local residents. The beach has since been cleared of beach beds, umbrellas and structures after the crackdown.
A high-level inspection team led by Pol. Maj. Gen. Nanchat Supamongkol, assistant minister at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, has also been overseeing efforts to reclaim the area from illegal occupation.
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul inspected enforcement at Bang Tao Beach in Thalang and later canceled a scheduled Freedom Beach visit because of urgent duties requiring travel to Ranong Province.
Source: https://thephuketexpress.com/2026/05/12/suspect-surrenders-in-freedom-beach-forest-encroachment-cases/
