Contractor and Wife Surrender in Kathu Forest Encroachment Case
A contractor known as 'Chang A' and his wife surrendered to Kathu police late at night before a summons deadline in a case involving illegal construction of a trail running course and shooting range in the Kamala national forest reserve in Phuket. Both denied all charges under the National Park, Forest, and Land Excavation Acts. Police say the investigation could expand to those who ordered the work if Kathu Municipality files additional complaints.
On November 5, 2026, reporters provided an update on the encroachment case in the Kamlala mountain range area of Kathu District, Phuket, where a trail running course and shooting range were illegally constructed in a national forest reserve. Most recently, 'Chang A' (Mr. Apichat) and his wife traveled to meet investigators at Kathu Police Station at 11:00 PM on November 4, before the summons deadline. The suspects denied all charges and declined to give any statement, while police formally notified them of charges under the National Park Act, Forest Act, and Land Excavation Act.
Pol. Lt. Col. Charoenchai Hirunsawat, Superintendent of Kathu Police Station, revealed that officials previously discovered the illegal construction in the national forest reserve involving 'Chang A' (Mr. Apichat) and three others. At 11:00 PM on November 4, Mr. Apichat and his wife appeared before investigators to acknowledge charges before the November 6 summons deadline. They were charged under the National Park Act, Forest Act, and Land Excavation Act. However, Mr. Apichat denied all charges and exercised his right to remain silent. After proper procedures, police released them, just as they had previously released two backhoe operators who also denied the charges.
Regarding Mr. Apichat's claim that he was following orders from 'Got Athip,' the police chief stated that the case is proceeding based on the complaint from the injured party — the national forest encroachment. As for whether there are masterminds or employers behind the operation, further investigation is required. Kathu Municipality, as the agency overseeing the area, must file additional complaints to give investigators grounds to expand the probe to other potentially involved individuals. The case remains under investigation, pending whether Kathu Municipality will file supplementary complaints and how the probe will extend to others involved in the illegal operations.
