The inspection came after a local complained to the Damrongtham Center, the province’s ombudsman, that mudslides from the property were causing problems for people living in the area.
The site, which has been partly cleared of vegetation, sits at the foot of a hill, and is reported to be the source of mud sluicing onto the road and into public gutters, and even seeping into houses below during the recent heavy rain.
During their inspection, officials found out that some parts of the property was cleared for a road and traces of slope excavation were found at the back of the site.
The Chief of the Thalang Land Office (TLO), Wattchara Buatong, confirmed that the property had a full Chanote freehold title, though the slope behind is not part of the deed.
He said he would check the TLO database to see if the slope has any type of paper, while the Phuket Forestry Office will check on the map to see whether the excavation extends into a forest reserve area.
However, officials noted that the excavation had been undertaken on a slope of more than 35 per cent, which is against environmental protection regulations.
It will take around a week to complete the document search.
With increasing numbers of land-related complaints being handed to officials recently, V/G Somkiat said he was worried about the issues raised.
“Every case uncovered on the island seems to be related to [man-made] environmental damage,” he said. “This has made Phuket into a major target for examination by high-ranking officials [from Bangkok].”
Since the beginning of this year, more than 10 cases of lands suspected to have title deeds obtained through corruption have been investigated by officials from Bangkok, including the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Department of Special Investigations.
An official from the PACC, talking on condition of anonymity, recently noted the role of the press. The more media reports there are on land issues, he told The Phuket News, the more complaints are delivered to officials.
“This is creating a new phenomenon in Phuket as more people come forward to make complaints about things they suspect are wrong,” he said. “Increasing numbers of people see making complaints as a normal way to solve problems.”
The Damrongtham Center has seen a similar rise in complaints related to land issues. An official said complaints had multiplied after officials from Bangkok had begun to visit Phuket more frequently.