Officials Gather Evidence Before Nai Thon Beach Land Recovery

Natural Resources Minister Suchat Chomklin said on July 22 that before launching the operation to reclaim Nai Thon Beach in Phuket, officials had anticipated that land occupants would deny allegations—particularly claims that they never collected money from tourists or failed to acknowledge controlling public beach areas. Consequently, he instructed staff to methodically gather comprehensive evidence over several months to ensure sufficient proof for legal prosecution, since state resources and public beaches belong to the people and cannot be claimed as private property.

"I knew from the start we'd face people who won't admit wrongdoing, so I had officials collect all evidence in advance to ensure every case has clear evidence," Suchat said. "We'll forward everything to relevant agencies for prosecution to the fullest extent." He added that the Forestry Department has been ordered to document the removal of 26 structures from the encroached Nai Thon area, with plans to strictly enforce the law while building community understanding. He confirmed this operation serves as a model for reclaiming state forest land from business groups and influential figures, with results to be extended to similarly encroached areas nationwide.

So far, 26 items have been dismantled and transferred to the Phuket Forest Protection Unit. Some structures—including photo checkpoints, bridges, and swings—remain under demolition. Structures within military-controlled zones will proceed through legal channels, with the power plant owner expressing intent to demolish voluntarily. Regarding the Naga statue and pavilion tied to public faith, demolition has been temporarily suspended for community consultation to minimize impact on people's feelings, with officials committing to enforce the law while listening to community input for sustainable resource recovery.