Anuthин Declares Those Who Encroached on Freedom Beach for Decades Must Face Prison; Built 300-Step Staircase Without Government Knowledge
Prime Minister Anutin vowed tough penalties for those illegally occupying Freedom Beach in Phuket for nearly two decades, arresting perpetrators who charged tourists entrance fees and built unauthorized structures including a 300-step stair
At 6:00 PM on May 13, 2026, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Interior Minister traveled from Phuket International Airport before boarding a helicopter to Freedom Beach in Patong subdistrict, Kathu district, Phuket, to monitor the arrest of those illegally encroaching on public beach areas.
The Mueang Phuket district officer reported that Freedom Beach has been unlawfully occupied since around 2009—nearly two decades—with commercial establishments such as shops and restaurants operating for tourism profit. The operations were leased and sold to foreign nationals, and visitors were charged entrance fees of 100-300 baht to access the beach. Following strict measures implemented by the Phuket governor, 23 cases have been filed against the perpetrators.
The Prime Minister questioned how authorities allowed this problem to persist for over a decade without intervention. The district officer acknowledged previous confiscations and multiple prosecutions over the years, but noted that violators repeatedly resumed their illegal activities.
After hearing the report, Anutin walked among residents and listened to complaints from those affected by land encroachment. Residents held signs requesting the Prime Minister's help. Anutin stated that a full team had come to listen and assigned responsibility to the Phuket governor, the Natural Resources and Environment Minister overseeing the Forestry Department, the Interior Ministry overseeing the Land Department and provincial electrical authority, and the Transport Minister. He assured residents that intimidation would cease as perpetrators had been arrested.
When Anutin asked if residents had filed police reports to ensure adequate official oversight, residents expressed concerns about influential figures in the area and requested reassurance and compassion from the Prime Minister, showing him pictures of these influential individuals on their phones.
Anutin bowed apologetically and said: "I ask for your compassion and apologize for arriving too late. There is nothing you should ask compassion for from me. We failed by helping too late. Let us make amends completely."
Residents thanked the Prime Minister, saying the influence of these figures would end from that moment forward. Anutin responded: "It ended yesterday. I believe everyone here understands what happened. I stand with you. I am the Prime Minister, the highest civil servant in the bureaucracy. If I stand with you, then good civil servants will not dare side with influential figures."
Anutin then called the Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry and Phuket Governor into the discussion, saying: "They are my subordinates. If residents feel concerned, you can contact us anytime."
The Prime Minister emphasized that government land belongs to the state, while residents' homes that already exist and have been damaged by encroachment will be repaired by the government. He pledged to coordinate with security agencies including the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), military authorities, district officials, and volunteer territorial defense units to ensure safety and protection. "Believe me. Let people earn their living and live normally. We will handle everything. Those responsible must pay compensation for encroaching on government land, displacing honest residents, using threats and violence, and committing abuses. This has been happening for over a decade."
