The coordinated operation took place on June 10 at Nui Beach, on Soi Laem Mum Nok, Karon, according to a post published Sunday (June 14) by the STRONG Anti-Corruption Club of Thailand on social media.
The inspection was led by Pol Lt Col Pongsakorn Meepanthu, Director of Investigation Division 4 of Investigation Bureau 4, together with Ombudsman investigator Phumikhanit Jiamonukulkit.
They were joined by officials from the Phuket provincial administration, Phuket Provincial Police, Karon Police, Forest Management Office 12 (Krabi Branch), the Phuket Land Reform Office and Karon Municipality.
Authorities said the investigation followed complaints from local residents that influential individuals had encroached on land within the Nakorn Khet Mountain Range National Forest Reserve, built structures illegally and blocked access to a public beach area.
Officials noted that the Supreme Court had already revoked rights to the disputed land in 2014, but alleged encroachment and occupation had continued.
During the inspection, forestry officers met with a man identified as Singha ‘Laem Singh’ Paisanvorachai, also referred to as Kittipop Pengkaew, who claimed to be the owner or possessor of the land plot.
Forestry officials informed him that the Director-General of the Department of Forestry had ordered him to clarify facts regarding alleged encroachment on national forest reserve land and had also issued an order to demolish structures under Section 25 of the National Forest Reserve Act.
Police and administrative officers were present as witnesses and provided security during the operation.
Sources from Forest Management Office 12 said applications had been submitted seeking permission to use land in the Nui Beach area, which lies within the national forest reserve. The Department of Forestry has asked the regional office to survey the area and submit recommendations to the committee considering the applications.
The Ombudsman’s office said it would coordinate with relevant agencies and consider legal action based on evidence gathered during the inspection.
Despite the investigation, officials reported that tourists were still visiting Nui Beach as normal during the field survey.
The action comes amid a broader provincial crackdown on illegal occupation of state land in Phuket.
Earlier this month, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin ordered faster progress on more than 28 encroachment cases within Sirinat National Park and said demolition work at Freedom Beach and Nui Beach was expected to begin in July.
Authorities have said Phuket will be used as a pilot province for accelerating legal action and the removal of structures built illegally on protected land.