Hua Hin Delays Beach Structure Demolition Awaiting Human Rights Talk
Hua Hin authorities have postponed the demolition of 15 illegal beachfront structures after receiving a request from the National Human Rights Commission to delay action. Officials have prepared machinery and police presence but encountered warning signs claiming private property and urging the mayor not to use state power against residents. A joint meeting is scheduled for October 22, with a Commission site visit set for October 21, to resolve the dispute before proceeding with the court‑ordered removal.
Prachuap Khiri Khan province has delayed the removal of 15 encroaching buildings on Hua Hin public beach, awaiting discussion with the National Human Rights Commission on October 22, while preparing to proceed according to the court order. Machinery is ready and officials have been deployed, but they have found threatening signs posted. On October 16, Hua Hin Mayor Nopphorn Wuttikul, together with the Hua Hin district administration, municipal officials, legal officers and related agencies, surveyed the area from the fish pier to the Mae Chu Chih shrine to collect information for planning the demolition of the 15 illegal structures on Hua Hin beach, which are under the municipality's responsibility per the Supreme Administrative Court ruling. The inspection involved the Hua Hin Police, the Provincial Land Office, the Provincial Internal Security Operations Command, National Telecom Public Company Limited, the Hua Hin branch of the Provincial Electricity Authority, the Provincial Court Execution Office Hua Hin branch, and the Provincial Marine Office Hua Hin branch, to assess site conditions and prepare for legal proceedings. The mayor said that October 16 had originally been set as the date for decisive demolition, with more than 100 police officers, contractors, personnel and machinery already arranged, but after receiving a letter from the National Human Rights Commission, signed by its Deputy Secretary-General, requesting a postponement, a meeting of the concerned agencies was arranged to discuss a joint approach. Although the district administration and Hua Hin Municipality believed that proceeding according to the original order was lawful, the Commission’s request for time and a scheduled discussion on October 22, which is only a short wait, led them to await the outcome of the talks before moving forward. The Commission also plans a site visit on October 21 to examine the actual conditions and talk with residents who have submitted the 15 cases, before holding a joint meeting with Hua Hin Municipality and relevant agencies on October 22 in the municipality’s meeting hall. During the inspection, officials continued to gather details reflecting the actual situation, including the wishes of those involved who would like to demolish the structures themselves, as well as any progress or movements observed so far, to inform future actions. Meanwhile, the Provincial Electricity Authority, National Telecom and the Municipality’s Waterworks Division have surveyed meter locations to prepare for suspending water and electricity supplies as per the Supreme Administrative Court order. At the same time, officials found that additional white vinyl signs had been put up in several places, including an urgent letter from the Commission to the Hua Hin Mayor, signs citing Section 52 paragraph 6, and small red signs reading “Private Property – No Trespassing” placed in front of various buildings. In addition, signs urging “Please, Hua Hin Mayor, do not use state power to bully the villagers” were placed over the municipality’s warning notices. Nonetheless, the inspection proceeded peacefully with no clashes between officials and locals, under tight security provided by Hua Hin Police.
