Government Cracks Down on Freedom Beach Land Invasion
The government has ordered 22 structures demolished at Freedom Beach in Phuket by August 5 to reclaim protected forest land seized illegally under Prime Minister Anuthon's strict anti-encroachment policy.
The government is actively reclaiming state land under Prime Minister Anuthon Chanyaweerakul's policy to eliminate land encroachment and illegal exploitation of natural resources without discrimination. On July 6, 2026, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin announced that Forestry Department Director Nikorn Sirodjanannond has been ordered to post Forest Department Section 25 notices at Freedom Beach in Phuket, requiring occupants to dismantle 22 structures and buildings by August 5, 2026, to expedite the return of protected forest land to the public.
Suchat emphasized that this action implements the Prime Minister's serious, decisive, and continuous policy against state land encroachment. He stressed that natural resources belong to all Thai people and will no longer be allowed to be occupied by individuals or capital groups for private gain. All cases fall under the same law with no exceptions or discrimination.
"The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will enforce the law strictly to reclaim forests and state land for the people, and develop Freedom Beach into a recreation forest and public area for sustainable community access," Suchat said.
Forestry Department Director Nikorn instructed officials to coordinate with local administration, police, and relevant agencies to post administrative orders under Section 25 of the National Forest Reserved Act B.E. 2507 in the Nakhon Korat Range protected forest area covering approximately 9 rai 1 ngan 20 square wah. Occupants must demolish all 22 structures and vacate within the deadline.
If occupants fail to comply, the Forestry Department will proceed with demolition under legal procedures and charge all costs to the violators. Appeals will not suspend enforcement unless otherwise ordered.
The director added that occupants were previously given opportunity to clarify facts and present evidence, but the evidence did not refute official inspection findings, leading to the demolition order to ensure equal law enforcement and protect national natural resources from further encroachment.
