Phuekt –
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin and Deputy Minister of Interior Worasit Liangprasit led a joint operation with over 200 officers to reclaim Nui Beach in Phuket.
The multi-agency force, including police, administrative officials, and special task forces, dismantled 11 structures that had illegally encroached on the Nakkerd Mountain Range National Reserved Forest. This operation supports the “Phuket Model” policy for land-use management and forest-encroachment prevention.
The Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to strict law enforcement, ensuring all violators face equal legal consequences regardless of influence or financial status. He stated that the demolition aimed to return the forest and public beach to the people, and reaffirmed the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to reclaim state land without exception.
The 11 dismantled structures were officially seized earlier in 2026. After the legal appeal period expired, authorities demolished them under the National Reserved Forest Act B.E. 2507 (1964) and its amendments. The encroachment affected approximately 15 rai of forest land. The legal status of 39 additional structures seized in 2020 and 2024 is still under review by the Administrative Court, and the Royal Forest Department is preparing further legal action.
Following the demolition, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment plans to rehabilitate the area and develop it into a recreational forest and eco-tourism destination for sustainable public use.
The Minister reiterated the firm policy of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, which strictly prohibits encroachment on natural resources to ensure the nation’s forests are preserved for future generations.
The preceding is a press release from the Thai Government PR Department.
