The Phuket Marine Office on Wednesday (June 18) met with government agencies and other stakeholders to review new documents submitted by five homeowners seeking reconsideration of a case that has remained under legal dispute since 2017.
The meeting, chaired by Phuket Regional Marine Office Director Adoon Raluekmoon at Phuket Provincial Hall, brought together representatives from the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center Region 3, the Phuket Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), Tha Chatchai Police, Mai Khao OrBorTor, the Phuket Damrongtham Centre, public representatives, assistants to Members of Parliament and other relevant agencies.
Officials reviewed new evidence submitted by five residents requesting reconsideration of previous decisions relating to structures allegedly encroaching on a river in the Hua Tha-Ton Do community at Baan Ko-En, Moo 2, Mai Khao.
The Phuket Marine Office confirmed it had accepted the new documents for review under the Administrative Procedure Act after the applications were lodged in 2025. However, officials stressed that accepting the evidence does not guarantee approval, with each case requiring detailed verification.
The department said more than 50 houses in the community have already been granted legal permits. The remaining five properties continue to face documentation issues.
According to officials, one property previously received a permit that was later revoked after investigators found a house registration from another building had been used to support the application. The other four applications were rejected because supporting documents were submitted after the legal deadline.
The Marine Department explained that under a 2017 National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) order, occupants of structures encroaching on waterways or coastal areas had 60 days to apply for permits, while authorities had 180 days to verify evidence and determine eligibility. Applicants were required to prove their structures existed within the legally prescribed period.
Officials said the new submissions will be assessed using aerial photographs and other documentary evidence before any decision is made.
The meeting also heard complaints that some structures had been expanded while awaiting the outcome of the permit review. Authorities reported finding unauthorised additions of about 40 square metres and have already initiated legal proceedings, including orders requiring the illegal extensions to be demolished.
Relevant agencies agreed to carry out another on-site inspection on Thursday (June 19) to verify the location, condition and characteristics of the structures, as well as collect any additional evidence before submitting a final report to senior officials and the Committee for Resolving Problems of the Assembly of the Poor under the Office of the Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister.
Mr Adoon said the review would be conducted in accordance with the law and based solely on verified evidence.
"The process will follow the principles of legality, transparency and fairness to all parties," he said, adding that authorities aim to reach a conclusion by the end of June.
WIDER COASTAL LAND ISSUES
Separately on Wednesday afternoon, ISOC Phuket convened a seminar with provincial agencies to discuss broader issues relating to public land use and changes to Phuket’s coastal boundaries.
The meeting included representatives from Mueang Phuket and Kathu district offices, local administrative organisations, the Phuket Irrigation Project, the Phuket Provincial Land Office, the Phuket Provincial Forestry Office and the Phuket Regional Marine Department.
Discussions focused on verifying rights over state land affected by alleged encroachment and strengthening measures to ensure public land is used for genuine public benefit.
ISOC Phuket said the conclusions would be urgently forwarded to relevant agencies to develop concrete solutions aimed at protecting state land and delivering long-term benefits for the people of Phuket.