Forestry Department discovers illegal encroachment in protected forest, orders demolition within 7 days
Authorities discovered 15 rai of illegal structures in Phuket's protected Naka Mountain Range forest and ordered demolition within seven days, with plans to convert the area into a recreational zone.
The Forestry Department has responded to the policy directive by inspecting 15 rai of land at Had Nui in Phuket and discovered illegal capital encroachment in the Naka Mountain Range protected forest. The department has ordered demolition within 7 days and plans to develop the area into a recreational forest zone.
On May 15, 2026, Nikorn Sirarojnanont, Director-General of the Forestry Department, disclosed the progress of the active inspection operation at Had Nui. After Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchad Choomklin received urgent orders from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to address grievances and restore justice to the public, he tasked the Forestry Department with urgently resolving the issue.
The Director-General assigned Deputy Director-General Patthanapong Smittiphattana, along with Kosit Nilrattan, Director of the Forest Protection and Fire Control Office, forest resource management officials from the Krabi Regional Office, and coordinating officials from Phuket Province's administrative division, police station, and internal security agency to conduct inspections in the Naka Mountain Range National Forest Reserve area, Subdistrict Karon, Phuket City District, Phuket Province. They discovered ongoing unauthorized land use. Physical inspection revealed construction of additional structures and landscape improvements to attract tourists, including clearing that expanded the open area. The encroachment covers 15 rai 49 square wah within the protected forest area. Evidence was submitted to Karon Police Station on May 14, 2026, for criminal investigation.
Deputy Director-General Patthanapong Smittiphattana stated that the Forestry Department will enforce Section 25 of the National Forest Reserve Act within one week to post notices and demolish all structures without waiting for criminal proceedings to conclude. Any misuse of forestry department areas will be recovered and returned to departmental responsibility. The department will also consider designating the Had Nui target area as a "recreational forest zone" to encourage community participation in protecting the nation's forest resources.
