Forestry Department Confirms Dismissal and No Pension for Former Official Who Facilitated Illegal Land Deeds at Freedom Beach and Koh Kradan

The Forestry Department has issued an open letter addressing concerns raised by Chaloempong Saengdee, a Democrat Party MP representing Phuket's District 2, during a parliamentary session on May 20, 2025. Saengdee expressed public concern about delays in criminal proceedings against a former civil servant dismissed from service in 2015 for corruption involving falsified aerial analysis to unlawfully facilitate land deed issuance in Freedom Beach, Phuket and Koh Kradan, Trang. Despite the criminal case showing no progress over 11 years, reports suggested the official continued receiving monthly pension payments, sparking public outcry over inequality and national loss.

Forestrly Department Director Nikorn Sirojananon recently telephoned Saengdee to clarify the situation and issued an open letter reaffirming the department's zero-tolerance stance on corruption. The director confirmed two key facts:

First, regarding disciplinary action against two Forestry Department officials involved in the unlawful Freedom Beach land deed issuance, the director exercised authority under Section 57 of the Civil Service Act, B.E. 2551 to order their dismissal. The Supreme Administrative Court upheld the dismissal orders in both cases, and the Office of the Ombudsman is reviewing the criminal aspect of the case.

Second, regarding the reported pension of 67,560 baht monthly, the department clarifies it has not paid any pension. The dismissed official has no entitlement to pension under the Civil Service Pension Act, B.E. 2494, Section 8(1), which states that civil servants dismissed for misconduct have no right to regular pension benefits.

The director reiterated the department's firm stance against corruption and commitment to proactive forest protection measures, while thanking Phuket's parliamentarian for raising these concerns in the national interest.