His comments came after it was announced that the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Preservation (DNP) had recommended that the Land Department look into land titles owned by Fair & Firm, on which part of the Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach sits.
Today (December 17) he told The Phuket News, “They [the Land Department] are checking the land deeds, which is their job.”
No decision has yet been made, he pointed out, and the investigation is still underway. “Our papers have not been rescinded,” he said. “We will decide what to do when or if that happens.”
“Every land deed we hold was issued by the Land Department. We bought the land and have paid all the taxes.”
Mr Maitree said he was distressed by stories in some media, which he said were one-sided and “have portrayed us in a negative light, affecting our business and how the tour companies perceive us.
“Please present the facts fairly because the investors do not understand [the whole picture] and they have invested a lot [in our property].
“Those title deeds were [originally] approved by the Land Department. If something is wrong, then it must be dealt with according to the law.”
The Phuket News notes that even if the Land Department does decide to rescind the land deeds as recommended by the DNP, long legal battles are likely to ensue – taking decades, perhaps – during which the resort will continue to operate as usual.