The latest development came after Deputy Phuket Governor Romdon Hayiawae led a site inspection on Thursday (July 2), following a June 30 meeting that agreed to review new evidence submitted by the owners of five homes in Moo 2, Baan Ko-En, Mai Khao.
The review concerns long-running applications for permission to retain homes built in an area alleged to encroach on waterways along the Andaman coast.
The inspection, attended by Phuket Regional Marine Office Director Adul Ralukmoon and representatives from relevant government agencies, compared each property’s current condition with documents previously submitted by the applicants.
Officials found that two of the five houses had been renovated and expanded beyond the information originally provided to authorities.
The Phuket Regional Marine Office confirmed that legal action has already been initiated against the owners of the two properties over the unauthorised additions.
Despite the violations, authorities said the review of the five applications will continue, with each case to be assessed individually under the relevant laws and regulations before any final decision is made on whether the occupants may continue living in the homes.
Phuket Province said all additional documents submitted by the applicants would be carefully examined to determine whether each property qualifies for permission under the legal framework.
Officials stressed that the process would be conducted in accordance with the law while ensuring transparency, fairness and protection of both the public interest and the rights of the residents.
The site inspection followed a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on June 30, where officials formally agreed to reconsider the five applications after the homeowners submitted new evidence seeking a review of earlier decisions.
At that meeting, authorities examined the new documentation alongside provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act and relevant regulations governing structures built on waterways.
The review also considered NCPO Order No. 32/2017 and Ministry of Transport regulations that allow certain structures predating the order to remain if applicants can demonstrate they meet the required legal criteria.
The case dates back to 2017 and involves the last five disputed properties in the Hua Tha-Ton Do community at Baan Ko-En.
According to the Phuket Regional Marine Office, more than 50 other houses in the community have already been granted legal permits.
One of the remaining five properties previously had its permit revoked after investigators found that documents from another property had been used to support the application, while the other four were originally rejected because supporting evidence was submitted after the legal deadline.
Authorities have repeatedly emphasised that accepting the new applications for review does not guarantee approval.
During an earlier inspection in June, officials also reported finding unauthorised extensions of about 40 square metres on some of the properties and ordered the illegal additions to be demolished.
The latest inspection confirmed that two houses had again been found to contain construction beyond what had previously been declared, prompting further legal proceedings while the permit review continues.
Provincial officials said the final decision on each application will be based on verified evidence and compliance with the law.