Phuket Orders Illegal Structures Demolished Within 15 Days
Phuket authorities have ordered illegal structures on state land and in protected areas demolished within 15 days, with court-ordered demolition and lawsuits for removal costs to follow non-compliance. Over 200 additional encroachment cases
On July 10, 2024, Deputy Interior Minister Phalphir Suwannachawi inspected encroachment problems on state land and protected areas in Phuket Province, accompanied by the Land Department director, senior officials from the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, the National Parks Department, and provincial authorities. The inspection covered encroachments on Sirinath National Park, where the Land Department has already revoked illegal land titles and posted demolition notices with a 15-day compliance deadline.
Phalphir emphasized that if violators fail to comply, the state will petition the court to carry out demolitions itself and will sue for removal costs. He stressed that authorities are conducting meticulous investigations because property values in the area reach hundreds of millions to billions of baht, requiring ironclad evidence to prevent legal challenges. Over 200 additional parcels are currently under investigation per Land Code Section 61.
The encroachment patterns include illegally expanded boundaries ("inflated land") and fraudulent title transfers ("floating deeds"). All suspected cases are being reviewed, with land officials instructed to verify how, when, and whether each title was legally obtained. Any irregularities will result in legal action. The government has clear evidence, including aerial photographs and maps, to verify violations and pursue enforcement.
