Thai PM vows crackdown on mafia-style beach land encroachment in Phuket

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Sunday pledged zero tolerance for mafia-style intimidation tied to beach land encroachment in Phuket after complaints from residents and businesses around Bang Tao beach. He visited the beach in Thalang district with senior Interior Ministry officials, police and provincial administrators to inspect public land encroachment and illegal beachfront structures.

Bang Tao probe finds undocumented land and seized buildings

Phuket deputy governor Rungrueng Thimabut said investigators found about six rai in the area without ownership documents. Authorities have seized 34 buildings for alleged illegal occupation of public land.

Officials also found 46 structures built without permission. Some businesses had been paying monthly rents of up to 150,000 baht to a retired military officer and his wife, who are now under investigation.

Sandbox plan aims to balance enforcement and livelihoods

Anutin said the new Bang Tao Sandbox would serve as a pilot for resolving disputes over public land and beach encroachment while protecting livelihoods. He said authorities would examine legal channels that could allow limited use of some areas if public access remains open and beach walkways are not blocked.

He acknowledged that many beach operators lack legal land documents and said any long-term fix would require all parties to be honest. If no lawful solution exists for businesses now operating there, alternative locations would have to be found.

Anutin also warned local authorities not to ignore complaints, saying officials who fail to protect people could face legal consequences. He said the model could later be expanded to other encroachment cases, including forest disputes in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3252775/pm-eyes-mafia-tactic-in-phuket