Thailand begins demolition at Phuket’s Freedom Beach in land reclamation operation
Authorities have begun removing structures at Freedom Beach after alleging that a land document was misused to claim public and reserved forest land.
Authorities have begun demolishing structures at Phuket’s Freedom Beach as part of a government operation to reclaim alleged encroachments on national reserved forest and public beach land.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin led the operation, called “Checkmate Three Billion”, at Freedom Beach in Karon, Mueang Phuket, on 8 November 2026. The operation was carried out under instructions from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and involved Phuket Governor Chotinarin Kerdsom and other agencies.
Chomklin said the government intended to return the beach to the public and allow Thai citizens to access it without the fees previously charged. Fees for foreign visitors may be considered under applicable law to fund maintenance, toilets, security and conservation.
According to the minister, an investigation found irregularities involving land document Sor Kor 1 No. 419. Authorities said the document related to another plot but had allegedly been used to claim rights at Freedom Beach, pursue title deeds and market the land for B3–5 million per rai. The land was also allegedly offered to foreign buyers for up to B16 million.
The minister said evidence had been gathered for cases involving alleged encroachment and fraudulent land sales. The Criminal Court issued arrest warrants, and officers from the Central Investigation Bureau and Provincial Police Region 8 arrested four suspects before sending them to the Crime Suppression Division for legal proceedings.
After the arrests, officials brought in machinery to remove structures from the area. The government also plans to deploy officers from the Royal Forest Department, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and Department of Marine and Coastal Resources to prevent further encroachment and protect visitors and natural resources.
Chomklin said Freedom Beach should remain accessible to Thai people and international visitors, while stressing that continued coordination would be needed to protect the reclaimed area.
