The parliamentary visits covered Bang Tao Beach, Nui Beach, Freedom Beach, Sirinat National Park, Patong Beach, Phuket City Police Station and other locations, with committee members meeting local officials, inspecting disputed land and gathering evidence for further investigations.
The coordinated visits followed the Prime Minister’s inspection last month of Bang Tao Beach, where he instructed authorities to urgently tackle encroachment on public land, restore public access and take firm action against influential figures operating outside the law.
BANG TAO
The programme began on Friday afternoon (June 26), when four House committees visited Bang Tao Beach to assess the use of public land and hear reports from provincial officials.
Leading the delegation were Police Committee Chairman Watcharapong Kuwijitsuwan, Administration Committee Chairman Thanayot Timsuwan and Land, Natural Resources and Environment Committee Chair Kulwadee Nopamornbodee, who serves as the Bhumjai Party MP for Ratchaburi, accompanied by representatives from the respective committees.
The delegation was joined by Phuket Vice Governor Pol Lt Col Khetarat Chansilp, acting in his capacity as security adviser to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, representatives from the Thalang District Office and other relevant agencies.
Committee members said the visit was intended to monitor how local authorities were implementing the government’s directives following the Prime Minister’s visit and to ensure tangible progress in resolving long-standing disputes over public land.
Officials reiterated the government’s commitment to reclaiming public areas, enforcing the law and taking action against individuals or groups found to be operating illegally.
FREEDOM BEACH, NUI BEACH
The Committee on Prevention and Suppression of Corruption and Misconduct then spent two days investigating complaints concerning Freedom Beach and Nui Beach.
Led by committee chairman Arsphol Suntraiphop, the Bhumjaithai MP for Sisaket, the delegation examined allegations that public access roads had been blocked, tolls were being charged to visitors and forest land had been illegally occupied.
At Nui Beach, committee members heard evidence from government agencies, local residents and other stakeholders concerning disputed SorPorKor agricultural reform land and ongoing investigations into land use.
The delegation later visited Freedom Beach, where officials reported there are 24 ongoing forest encroachment cases.
Committee members also examined complaints regarding fees allegedly charged for beach access and concerns over visitor safety during the southwest monsoon following several drowning incidents.
According to information presented by the Department of Lands, the Freedom Beach area contains nine land plots.
Two title deeds have already been revoked by the courts after being found to have been issued unlawfully, while the remaining seven plots remain under investigation.
Committee members also received complaints from local residents regarding land ownership and cultivation rights and ordered authorities to submit all relevant documents within 15 days.
Mr Arsphol said any evidence of illegally issued land titles, misconduct or dereliction of duty would be investigated impartially and dealt with according to the law.
LAND COMMITTEE FOLLOWS UP ON NUI BEACH
The House Committee on Land, Natural Resources and Environment separately visited Nui Beach to monitor progress in resolving encroachment on protected forest land and restoring public access.
The committee was briefed on legal proceedings involving the area and inspected parts of the national protected forest, where officials noted that hornbills and other protected wildlife continue to inhabit sections of the forest despite ongoing land disputes.
Members also questioned the suitability of agricultural land reform title deeds issued in steep mountainous areas.
Officials reminded occupants that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has ordered 39 structures in the disputed area to be demolished by July 9.
Should owners fail to comply, authorities will carry out the demolitions and seek to recover the costs from occupants under the law.
Ms Kulwadee said the committee would continue collecting information from land offices and other agencies before presenting its findings to Parliament.
The committee is also monitoring allegations of foreign nominees holding land illegally, public access restrictions and enforcement of court orders requiring the removal of illegal structures.
SIRINAT NATIONAL PARK
On Saturday (June 27), the Land Committee continued its work with an inspection of Sirinat National Park.
The delegation met officials from Conservation Area Management Office 5 and other agencies to review efforts to prevent encroachment, improve management of conservation areas and oversee development projects around the park.
The committee received updates on construction of the Sirinat National Park Ranger Station No. 2 at Layan, ongoing enforcement against encroachment and plans to redevelop the Ching Pla Market area, including proposals for a future boat taxi pier.
Committee members said they would incorporate information gathered during the inspection into parliamentary deliberations aimed at strengthening environmental protection while balancing sustainable development.
GENERAL BUSINESS
The broader parliamentary programme also included inspections of accommodation businesses and law enforcement operations in Patong, a visit to Phuket City Police Station to examine crime prevention and traffic management, and an industry committee briefing at Amorn Phuket Pearl Co Ltd.
Committee members said the findings from all five House committees would be compiled and submitted to Parliament to support recommendations for stronger enforcement, improved management of public land and more effective solutions to what was called “long-running disputes” affecting Phuket.
As always, none of the many official reports of the House Committees’ visit over the weekend made any mention of any officials actually investigating how the land claims and other critical issues persisted for so long without the assistance of complicit or corrupt officials.