On July 20, Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Suchart Chomklin, led an operation to demolish 50 illegal structures at Nui Beach in Phuket. The move, part of a broader Phuket Model initiative, targets the reclamation of 18 rai of forest reserve land valued at approximately 2,000 million baht.
The Operation at Nui Beach
Minister Suchart Chomklin stated that the operation, which took place on July 20, was the first successful “kick-off” of the government’s Phuket Model. According to the Minister, the site had been under the control of a single private entity for 12 years, despite previous court rulings that had already ordered the revocation of land ownership documents for the area.
The scale of the site is substantial, covering 18 rai. Officials estimate that if the land’s title deeds were to be sold, the property could carry a market value of roughly 2,000 million baht. During the operation, authorities dismantled 50 individual structures that had been erected within the forest reserve.
Minister Suchart Chomklin’s Phuket Model Strategy
Minister Suchart has framed the Nui Beach intervention as a direct challenge to private interests that have historically occupied protected areas. He emphasized that the government is utilizing Section 25 of the National Forest Reserve Act to carry out the demolitions. Addressing potential pushback from those who previously held the land, the Minister noted that while individuals retain the right to challenge the action in the Administrative Court, the government will continue its enforcement efforts.
The Minister’s public statements reflect a determined stance against what he describes as long-term encroachment. He indicated that the Nui Beach case is merely the beginning of a larger campaign, with plans to inspect and reclaim hundreds of additional forest reserve plots throughout the region under the same policy framework.
Financial Investigations and Future Enforcement
Beyond the physical removal of structures, the Ministry is preparing to escalate the legal consequences for those involved in the occupation of public land. Minister Suchart announced that he intends to refer the case to the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to track financial trails and initiate asset forfeiture procedures against those who have illegally profited from the state’s property.
Sources: มติชนออนไลน์.
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