The directive came during a visit by Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, who continued his inspection tour of Phuket yesterday (June 8) with a meeting at Sirinat National Park headquarters.
Accompanied by senior ministry officials and executives from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Mr Suchart reviewed progress on long-running encroachment cases and instructed authorities to accelerate legal proceedings while ensuring investigations are thorough enough to withstand legal challenges.
Officials reported that more than 28 cases remain under investigation by law enforcement agencies, with some subject to detailed inquiries. More than 10 cases have already reached final court judgments, and efforts are underway to coordinate with the Department of Lands to revoke illegally issued land title documents and return the land to state ownership.
Mr Suchart stressed that all evidence must be collected carefully to prevent legal loopholes and ensure decisive action against those occupying protected land.
“We must establish a clear standard that national park land, beaches and natural resources do not belong to any individual, but to the entire nation,” he said. “Anyone attempting to claim them as their own must face the full legal consequences.”
According to officials, Sirinat National Park currently covers more than 56,250 rai of land and marine areas in Thalang district. Park management outlined ongoing efforts to combat encroachment, regulate tourism activities and implement environmental initiatives, including a Zero Waste programme aimed at reducing waste generation and increasing recycling.
The minister outlined three key priorities: expediting all encroachment cases, preventing new illegal occupation of state land and ensuring transparency and integrity among officials involved in land management and enforcement.
Discussions also covered improving coastal landscapes, removing abandoned boats and structures, organising community trading areas without encroaching on state land and developing public spaces along the coastline.
The meeting also reviewed wider encroachment issues across Phuket. Officials reported that 115 cases involving national park land had been recorded between 2012 and 2025. Authorities noted that demolition work at Freedom Beach and Nui Beach is expected to begin in July.
Mr Suchart instructed Phuket to serve as a pilot province for accelerating legal action and the removal of structures built on state land, creating a model that could later be applied in neighbouring provinces.
The minister also followed up on plans to develop Sirinat National Park as a world-class tourism destination, including a feasibility study for a proposed Boat Taxi network linking Phuket International Airport with major tourist attractions in an effort to ease road congestion and improve visitor transport options.
He said all agencies must work together to protect Phuket’s forests, beaches and natural resources for future generations while ensuring sustainable tourism development.