NHRC Reviews Hua Hin Beach Demolition Process, Emphasizes Rights Protections
The National Human Rights Commission held a meeting in Hua Hin to review the demolition of 15 buildings on beach land ordered by the Supreme Administrative Court. While the NHRC cannot overturn the court ruling, it is investigating whether proper procedures were followed to protect the rights of 19 affected residents. The commission will also examine compensation plans and future public use of the beach area.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) stressed it will not overstep the Supreme Administrative Court's order regarding the demolition of 15 buildings encroaching on public land at Hua Hin Beach, emphasizing the verification of procedures to protect citizens' rights.
On October 22, 2026, at the Nareratdamri Meeting Room, Hua Hin Municipal Office, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, NHRC Commissioner Sayamol Kaiyurawong and a team met with relevant agencies to hear facts on the case where 19 residents complained of being affected by the municipal demolition order and eviction from land they have long occupied, from the Hua Hin Fishing Pier to the Chao Mae Thaptim Shrine on Nareratdamri Road. The municipality plans to demolish 15 structures encroaching on public area per the Supreme Administrative Court ruling.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Governor Panja-ek Phanitphat Sitthsak, Hua Hin Mayor Noppawut Wuttikul, representatives from the Department of Special Investigation, Hua Hin District Administration, Hua Hin Police, Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Land Office (Hua Hin Branch), Prachuap Khiri Khan Regional Harbor Office, complainants, and local residents.
Before the meeting, the NHRC asked media and some public to leave the room and halted live broadcast due to questioning of personal information and details that could affect complainants' rights.
After the meeting, a Hua Hin resident representative submitted a letter to the NHRC requesting demolition proceed per the Supreme Administrative Court order, as it is public land for common use, attaching nearly 1,000 signatures of residents supporting demolition.
Commissioner Sayamol disclosed after the meeting that the NHRC prioritizes on-site fact-finding from all sides. Previously, the team inspected the actual site conditions and negotiated with the complainant group before today's meeting with the municipality and relevant agencies.
Preliminary findings show 19 complainants, with 15 households currently proving land possession rights in the Region 7 Court of Appeal, and 9 complainants appealing the Administrative Court order.
Sayamol stated the NHRC cannot review or re-adjudicate state land ownership rights and demolition orders already adjudicated by the Court, due to separation of powers between independent bodies and courts, as some complainants have exercised legal appeal rights.
However, the NHRC retains authority to inspect the human rights protection dimension, particularly state agency procedures after court orders, such as written warnings, posting announcements, and informing affected parties of steps within legal timeframes, including whether pre- and during-demolition actions follow relevant procedures.
The NHRC will take information from the Hua Hin Municipality and the Prachuap Khiri Khan Regional Harbor Office to verify and consider whether operational processes include appropriate rights protection measures, emphasizing consultation between state agencies and affected people for legal understanding and compensation approaches.
Additionally, the NHRC emphasizes the post-demolition area development plan, as it is state public property, a seaside beach per court ruling, and should consider public utilization approaches.
