Mr Suchart inspected Nui Beach in Karon yesterday morning (May 14) following complaints from local residents and community leaders over access restrictions and the collection of tolls from visitors.
The inspection followed Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s visit to Phuket on Wednesday (May 13), during which he pledged to tackle influential groups accused of illegally controlling tourism areas and encroaching on public land.
Accompanying Mr Suchart on his visit yesterday were Assistant Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Pol Maj Gen Nanthachart Supamongkol, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Director-General Atthapol Charoenchanasa, Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn and other senior provincial and security officials.
Mr Suchart said Nui Beach had been the subject of forest and public land encroachment investigations since 2018 (actually, years earlier)*, with the Royal Forest Department already pursuing legal action.
* See also:
Gun drama as Phuket govt team visits beach club
Phuket beach club faces Navy demolition
He said the government was serious about reclaiming public land and natural resources for public use, and warned that officials unwilling to carry out their duties would be transferred.
“Influential groups will no longer be allowed to exploit state land,” he said.
“The beach and forest are public property, and no individual can block access or collect tolls from citizens and tourists.”
ONE-WEEK DEADLINE
Mr Suchart ordered relevant agencies to take action under Section 25 within one week in order to reclaim the land legally and remove all structures and obstacles blocking access to the beach.
He said the matter would be submitted to the Phuket Governor for signature to proceed with revocation and reclamation measures.
Officials have also been instructed to restore the natural environment and move towards having the area declared a recreational forest for public benefit.
The minister said the Royal Forest Department, Agricultural Land Reform Office and Phuket officials were jointly inspecting areas suspected of illegal occupation or misuse across the province.
If investigations found land titles had been issued over former state forest land, those titles would be revoked and the land returned to the Royal Forest Department, he said.
WARNING TO OFFICIALS
Mr Suchart also delivered a strong warning to government officers, saying officers who felt unable or unwilling to perform their duties should request transfers.
“If any officer feels uncomfortable or concerned about their own and their family’s safety, they can request a transfer,” he said.
“If they are not ready to perform their duties, they should not remain in the area.”
He added that there were officers prepared to “fight to protect the interests of the people”.
Mr Suchart also said the Prime Minister had instructed authorities to improve the livelihoods of local fishermen and confirmed that villagers would not be required to pay money to access the area.
“Nui Beach is a public area. Everyone must have free access to it,” he said.
“No one has the right to charge an entrance fee.”