The inspection was carried out at about 4pm yesterday (June 29) by Mueang District Chief Siwat Rawangkul, accompanied by Deputy District Chiefs Akkra Suwatikul and Apichat Chantrawong, members of the Volunteer Defence Corps (OrSor), Phuket Provincial Forestry officials and the village headman of Moo 2, Koh Kaew.
The joint operation targeted the Khao Nang Phanthurat section of the Kamala hills following reports of illegal forest encroachment.
Officials found evidence of encroachment into the national forest reserve, an offence under Thailand’s Forestry Act of 1941.
Investigators also discovered that heavy machinery had been used to clear and level sections of forest to create a mountain road. Parts of the route had already been surfaced with prefabricated concrete panels, indicating that construction had progressed beyond the initial earthworks.
No suspects or anyone claiming responsibility for the project were found at the site. However, officers located an abandoned backhoe, which was seized as evidence.
Forestry officials and other agencies documented the scene and collected evidence before preparing a seizure report for submission to the investigating officer at the local police station.
Authorities said the investigation will focus on identifying the owner of the seized machinery, tracing those responsible for the illegal construction and determining who was behind the forest encroachment.
Officials vowed to pursue legal action against all those involved in accordance with the law.