Phuket: The Prime Minister visited Phuket to address the issue of developers encroaching on Bang Tao Beach and Freedom Beach. Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul arrived at Phuket International Airport to oversee and follow up on the resolution of issues related to encroachment on public beaches and state land at Bang Tao Beach in Thalang District and Freedom Beach in Karon Subdistrict, Phuket City. He was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Interior Worasit Liengprasit, Prime Minister's Secretary Traisuli Traisaranakul, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior Arsit Sampanrat, Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma, Inspector General of the Ministry of Interior Pol. Lt. Col. Trakul Thotham, and Deputy Prime Minister's Spokesperson Ploytalay Laksmisangchan. Governor of Phuket Province Nirat Pongsitthaworn and heads of government agencies in the area provided updates.
According to Thai News Agency, the first stop for the mayor will be Bang Tao Beach in Choeng Thale Subdistrict, Thalang District, to receive a summary report on the long-standing encroachment on the beach area. Previously, wooden structures used as beer bars and restaurants were illegally built on this land, which the Choeng Thale Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) had already demolished. However, since the end of 2021, new construction has begun, with more robust structures now occupying the entire area. This is being done with claims based on land titles and with the consent of some landowners. The Choeng Thale SAO has exercised its authority under the Building Control Act B.E. 2522 (1979) by issuing legal orders to take decisive action.
In the afternoon, the Prime Minister will travel to Freedom Beach, an area bordering Patong Subdistrict in Kathu District and Karon Subdistrict in Phuket City, to follow up on the operation to seize land within the Khao Nak Kerd National Forest Reserve. The operation, under the direction of Mr. Nirat Pongsitthiwat, Governor of Phuket, and security and forestry agencies, revealed clear encroachment. Authorities have seized land and filed charges in a total of 23 cases under the Forestry Act and the National Forest Reserve Act. The encroachment covers over 57 rai out of a total area of 24,750 rai, considered a strategically important natural resource zone for Phuket Province.