Officials from the Department of Forestry yesterday (June 19) posted a demolition order under Section 25 of the National Forest Reserve Act at a building in the disputed Nui Beach area in Karon after the man named in the order failed to appear to receive it in person.
The order requires local kingpin ‘Mr Singha’, also known as ‘Laem Sing’, ‘Kitti Pengkaew’ or ‘Paisan Worachai’, to vacate the land, cease all activities within the Nakkerd Hill National Forest Reserve and remove all structures and crops from the site.
The notice was posted on a residence claimed by Mr Singha in the presence of representatives from Mueang Phuket District Office and Karon Police to ensure the order was legally served. Although Mr Singha was absent, a representative acknowledged the posting on his behalf.
Senior Forestry Specialist Thanandon Petchdee said the encroached area covers more than 15 rai within the Nakkerd Hill National Forest Reserve.
He said officials have identified 39 structures that must be removed, including buildings left standing after an earlier demolition operation in 2020, fences obstructing officials’ work and another 36 structures seized during enforcement action in 2024.
"The occupants must complete the demolition by July 9," Mr Thanandon said.
If the structures are not removed by that date, officials will issue a final notice before July 16. Should the order still not be complied with, the Department of Forestry will carry out the demolition itself under Section 25 of the National Forest Reserve Act, with all costs to be recovered from the occupant.
Mr Thanandon explained that forestry officials, district administration officers and police jointly posted the notice because the occupant did not appear to acknowledge receipt personally, making the public posting necessary to satisfy legal requirements.
The latest enforcement action follows years of legal proceedings over the disputed site.
Forestry officials first seized the land during a joint operation on July 10, 2018. The Phuket Provincial Court later found the occupants guilty of offences under the Forestry Act, the National Forest Reserve Act, the Land Code and the Environmental Quality Promotion and Preservation Act in two separate cases. The Court of Appeal Region 8 upheld both convictions.
Officials said the occupants have since filed a case with the Administrative Court, which remains under consideration, and have also appealed the Court of Appeal’s rulings.
The demolition order comes amid a new intensified campaign by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to reclaim protected land across Phuket.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin visited Nui Beach on May 14 following complaints from residents and local leaders that access to the beach had been blocked and visitors were being charged to enter ‒ and amid death threats to Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee.
The visit followed an inspection by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul the previous day.
The Forestry Department said it is accelerating legal action to reclaim public land and restore natural resources, with Phuket designated as a pilot province for faster enforcement against illegal occupation of protected areas.
The action also follows a multi-agency inspection at Nui Beach on June 10, when officials from the Ombudsman’s Office, forestry agencies, police and local authorities investigated complaints of continued encroachment despite previous court rulings.
During that inspection, forestry officials informed Mr Singha that the Director-General of the Department of Forestry intended to issue an eviction order and require the demolition of structures under Section 25 of the National Forest Reserve Act.
Authorities have previously stated that demolition work at both Nui Beach and Freedom Beach is expected to begin in July as part of the province-wide crackdown on illegal structures built on protected land.