THE government stepped up its crackdown on encroachment of Phuket’s Freedom Beach with large notices posted there today (July 6) ordering the demolition of 22 structures by August 5, Naewna newspaper said.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomkline said he had ordered Royal Forest Department Director-General Mr. Nikorn Sirirojananon to post these notices issued under Section 25 of the National Reserved Forest Act B.E. 2507 (1964) in accelerating the reclamation of this strip of state land.
This is in keeping with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s instruction to all agencies to expedite the suppression of encroachment on state land and illegal exploitation of natural resources without discrimination, regardless of whether offenders are capitalists, influential figures, or anyone else.
“The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will continue to strictly enforce the law to reclaim forest and state land for the people and develop Freedom Beach area into a recreational forest and public space so that citizens can access and utilise it sustainably,” Suchart said.
Nikorn mentioned that he instructed his department’s officials to cooperate with local administration, police, and relevant agencies in posting these notices at Khao Nak Kerd national reserved forest. The area encroached upon with these 22 structures standing on it is approximately 9 rai, 1 ngan, and 20 square wah and the illegal occupants have been told to demolish them within specified timeframe.
Should the occupants fail to comply the department will proceed to demolish these structures and charge them for the cost of doing so. Any appeal against the order will not lead to suspension of this action unless otherwise ordered.
The occupants had ample opportunity to explain the facts and present evidence to the department as required by law. However, a review of the data they presented failed to counter official inspection results with this leading to the order to demolish all these structures being issued.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page: Officials posting large notices at Freedom Beach in Phuket giving illegal occupants until August 5 to demolish 22 structures. Photos – Naewna
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