The man who claims to own the land in question, 58-year-old Sorrathas Thanyalappitak was taken to Phuket City Police Station for questioning after chief of the Damrongdhama Centre (ombudsman’s office) Prapan Khanphrasang led more than 20 officials from Rassada Municipality, Phuket Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment and City police went to investigate illegal excavation of the land in Moo 3 on Trang Rd in Rassada after residents complainted on a Phuket facebook page.
Mr Prapan explained “A group of men including Mr Sorrathas attempted to flee the area on a pick-up truck as soon as we arrived but officers were able to stop them. A a backhoe and excavators were on the land.
“We noticed that more than ten rai of land has been cleared of trees. The top soil has been dug to make a new road.”
“Local residents are worried that the land excavation will lead to a possible landslide which could damage their homes should it be affected by rain.
“Although Mr Sorrathas told us that he wanted to plant coconut trees once the land clearance is complete, we suspected that the area is more than 100 metres above sea level and the slopes are against regulations,” he added.
Mr Sorrathas now faces being charged with illegal excavation without a permit and breaking the Natural Resources and Environment law.