Phuket Man Turns Himself In for Encroaching on Protected Forest at Freedom Beach, Facing Four Charges
A 51-year-old Phuket man surrendered to police to face four charges of illegally encroaching on protected forest at Freedom Beach in Karon, following an inspection by senior officials that prompted his voluntary turnover.
On May 12, 2025, a Phuket reporter confirmed that Printon (surname withheld), 51, turned himself in at Karon Police Station to face charges related to encroaching on protected forest land in the Freedom Beach area, Karon Subdistrict, Phuket City. He is being charged in four separate cases. This development followed a field inspection conducted by Deputy Minister NanthaChat Suphamon of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, along with Phuket Parliament Member Chalerm Saengdee (District 2) and Deputy Provincial Police Commander Phakayot Thongsak, which led to the suspect's surrender. The four encroachment cases detail the following unauthorized land areas: Case 224/2569 covers 9 rai, 3 ngan, 40 square wah; Case 227/2569 covers 50 square wah; Case 228/2569 covers 1 ngan, 4 square wah; and Case 229/2569 covers 82 square wah. Following his surrender, investigators processed his charges, conducted questioning, and recorded his fingerprints according to standard procedures. Karon Police Station Commander Patpee Srichaiyon stated that all procedures were conducted with strict adherence to legal standards and transparency, with coordination from Phuket Provincial Forest officials to gather evidence for further judicial proceedings.
