Minister Surachat Heads to Phuket to Reclaim Freedom Beach From Mafia
Natural Resources Minister Surachat Chomklin flew to Phuket on the Prime Minister's orders to oversee a crackdown on mafia groups illegally occupying Freedom Beach, an area spanning over 70 rai with estimated damages exceeding 3 billion baht. Police have arrested four suspects, including alleged ringleader "Sia Lek," on fraud charges for allegedly selling national forest reserve land to unsuspecting buyers. The government vows to enforce the law strictly and return the beach to public access.
On November 7, 2025, Minister Surachat Chomklin disclosed that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had ordered him to travel immediately to Phuket to monitor and direct legal action against influential groups and offenders who have encroached on and profited from national forest reserves, with the Freedom Beach case designated a top priority. The government is committed to restoring forest and public lands to the people and enforcing the law strictly without exception.
Recalling the Prime Minister's November 13 visit to Freedom Beach, he instructed authorities to swiftly address the mafia and influential figures occupying more than 70 rai of coastal land, causing damages estimated at over 3 billion baht. The Prime Minister stated firmly that Freedom Beach must be reclaimed for the public, emphasizing that "Freedom" means a beach open to all without exclusive ownership.
Today, Minister Surachat went to Kathu Police Station in Phuket to track the investigation and arrests of key suspects. He was joined by Phuket Governor Chotiwat Koedsom, Police Region 8 Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Anon Teasuparp, Deputy Forest Department Director-General Pattapong Smittipattana, and senior officers from the Central Investigation Bureau, including Pol. Maj. Gen. Natthasak Chaowanasi and Pol. Col. Phathansak Buppasuwan. Five suppression units were deployed to investigate and arrest Prinya Rueangratanawanich, known as "Sia Lek," and three associates on court warrants for colluding to defraud the public and inputting false data into computer systems.
The suspects allegedly deceived victims by selling land within the Nakhon Si Thammarat National Forest Reserve, falsely claiming it was legally titled property. This fraud caused financial harm to buyers while illegally exploiting national forest resources. Minister Surachat affirmed the government's determination to prosecute influential figures who seize or profit from national resources, stressing that protected forests and public lands belong to the nation, not private interests. He pledged close supervision of the case, strict and transparent law enforcement, and no leniency for offenders, ensuring Freedom Beach is restored as a truly free public space as the Prime Minister intended.
