Thai environment minister vows crackdown to reclaim Phuket beaches by mid-July

Thailand's environment minister has said authorities will move to reclaim Phuket beach land from illegal occupation and restore public access, with visible enforcement expected by mid-July.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin said on June 16 that the government had discussed the issue at a Phuket Model committee meeting the previous day, where the prime minister instructed him to prepare a timeline for beaches that had been inspected.

Suchart said some beach cases had already been finalized by the courts, citing Nui Beach, where rulings were issued in 2018 and 2019. He said that despite those rulings, the land had been occupied again. Authorities will post legal notices and allow a 45-day period for appeals, he said, adding that once the deadline passes, officials must proceed under the law.

He said any new demolition or enforcement action would differ from past operations, with forestry, national park, White Shark and Phayak Prai teams combined into a permanent special task force on site. The purpose, he said, is to return the beaches to residents and fishermen.

Suchart also alleged that local people had faced intimidation and unlawful charges, saying it was wrong if fishermen or residents trying to use the beach were threatened with gunfire or if visitors were charged 300 baht to walk onto a beach.

Responding to allegations on a Facebook page about more than 50 rai of forest land near Cherng Talay Municipality being encroached on, and claims that a deputy governor's associates were involved, Suchart said he was not blaming anyone in advance. But he said no one would be protected if wrongdoing was found, including civil servants or agencies under his own ministry.

He cited Sirinat National Park in Phuket as another example, saying several hotels were built on park land and that some cases had already reached final court enforcement. He said he was compiling land title deed numbers to send to the Land Department director-general for possible revocation of improperly issued deeds, including cases involving misuse of Sor Kor documents. He added that more well-known hotels could face demolition because final court rulings must be enforced.

Suchart said some officials had come under heavy pressure. He said those concerned for their own safety or their families could seek transfers, and replacements would be assigned. He said the ministry would deploy special task force units from three departments to remain in the area.

He said the public should begin to see action plot by plot around mid-July, as appeal periods expire.