Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee revealed the order in a post online late Friday night (May 22), highlighting the government’s latest move against alleged illegal occupation and tourism-related development at Nui Beach.
The order, signed on May 20 by RFD Director-General Nikorn Sirirojananan, follows a joint inspection carried out on May 14 by officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, local administrative agencies and the RFD at Nui Beach, located off Soi Laem Nui Nok in Karon.
Officials found that approximately 15 rai of protected forest land had been encroached upon and developed for tourism purposes, according to the order issued under Section 25 of the National Forest Reserve Act B.E. 2507 (1964).
Authorities reported that the area contained 11 structures and installations, including a concrete shop building, bamboo house, massage area, bathing area, animal pens, concrete pavilions, a Naga statue, a pond, garage, water dam and a concrete road.
The inspection team concluded that the ongoing construction, landscaping and tourism-related use of the site had caused degradation of the protected forest area and constituted a violation of Section 14 of the National Forest Reserve Act.
A formal complaint has already been filed with Karon Police under Police Report No. 2 dated May 14, 2026.
The demolition order follows a high-profile inspection of Nui Beach by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin on May 14, after complaints from local residents and community leaders over blocked access to the beach and fees allegedly being charged to visitors.
During that visit, Mr Suchart declared that no person or group had the right to block access to the beach or collect entrance fees, and ordered officials to reclaim the land within one week.
The minister’s inspection came one day after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Phuket and vowed to crack down on influential groups accused of illegally controlling tourism areas and encroaching on public land.
Mr Suchart said at the time that Nui Beach had been under investigation for alleged forest and public land encroachment for years, with legal action already under way by the Royal Forest Department.
“Influential groups will no longer be allowed to exploit state land,” he said during the inspection.
“The beach and forest are public property, and no individual can block access or collect tolls from citizens and tourists.”
Under the latest order, all owners, occupiers or persons connected to the encroachment must vacate the land and demolish the structures by June 5. If they fail to comply, the Forestry Department is authorised to carry out the demolition itself and recover all costs from those responsible, plus an additional 35% surcharge.
The order also warns that failure to comply could result in penalties under Section 37/1 of the National Forest Reserve Act, including imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to B10,000, or both, as well as a daily fine of B5,000 until compliance is achieved.