Eight Resort Owners Voluntarily Demolishing Structures at Thaplan National Park
Eight resort owners at Thaplan National Park have voluntarily requested permission to demolish their structures as authorities intensify efforts to reclaim illegally encroached land, with two owners already begun demolition work.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin is intensifying efforts to reclaim land at Thaplan National Park from illegal encroachment. Eight resort owners have now requested permission to voluntarily demolish their structures—six in previous weeks and two additional owners today.
On September 8, 2025, Minister Suchart Chomklin announced that following ministerial order 325/2569 issued June 24, 2024, a 22-member task force was appointed to resolve the Thaplan encroachment crisis. The committee, which includes Permanent Secretary Ravewan Puridech, Seub Nakhasathien Foundation Chairman Phanudej Gerdmali, and Associate Professor Thanaphorn Sriyakul, has set a six-month deadline to distinguish legitimate residents and livelihoods established before and after the park boundary declaration from commercial operators and capitalists profiting unlawfully from the protected area. The national park boundary will subsequently be adjusted in accordance with Cabinet resolutions from March 14, 2023 and National Parks Committee resolutions from June 15, 2024.
Deputy Permanent Secretary Nipat Jamnangsirisak, National Parks Department Director Atthapol Charoenchangsa, and Thaplan National Park Superintendent Prawatsat Chanthep reported that after two months of strict law enforcement following the task force appointment, six resort owners have voluntarily requested demolition. Today, two additional resort and vacation home owners have made similar requests, bringing the total to eight. One resort owner has begun demolishing 20 structures at 20 percent completion, while another vacation home owner has started dismantling four structures at 10 percent completion. Both are expected to finish by month's end, after which the national park will work with the local community to restore the resort land as a natural recovery area or nature learning center for Thaplan residents.
