Natural Resources Department Cracks Down on Freedom Beach Encroachment in Phuket, Reclaiming Public Shoreline
Thailand's Natural Resources Department is cracking down on decade-long encroachment at Freedom Beach in Phuket, where systematic illegal occupation has blocked public shoreline access and charged tourists unauthorized fees since 2015.
The Natural Resources Department is taking action against systematic encroachment at Freedom Beach in Phuket, moving to reclaim public beach access. On May 12, Deputy Natural Resources Minister Nantchat Suphongkhun led an integrated task force including inspectors, provincial administrators, and relevant agencies to investigate land encroachment at Freedom Beach—a persistent problem spanning over a decade, acting on direct orders from Natural Resources Minister Suchart Chomklin to expedite investigations and prosecutions.
Deputy Minister Nantchat reported that in-depth investigations revealed a sophisticated, systematic encroachment pattern beginning in 2015 when individuals assumed land management roles for the original owner, later seizing control after the owner's death. A government official involved in illegally issuing land documents faced prosecution. Influential figures were subsequently brought in to expand the encroached territory and monopolize beach access by leveraging steep terrain to block public pathways, while collecting 200–300 baht per tourist under the guise of maintenance and garbage management fees. Investigators also discovered attempts to forge land title documents in the database.
Previously, under Governor Nirati Pongsittavon's direction, Phuket provincial authorities inspected the Naka Range National Forest Reserve and identified clear encroachment of approximately 57 rai, leading to 23 criminal cases filed under the Forestry and National Forest Reserve Acts—representing destruction of natural resources in a strategic area for Phuket province.
Deputy Minister Nantchat affirmed the government's commitment to preventing encroachment of forests and public beaches for personal gain, ordering relevant agencies to accelerate prosecutions, ensure thorough investigations, and swiftly bring offenders through the justice system to preserve Thailand's natural resources for current and future generations.
