Phuket Authorities Order Nui Beach Businesses to Demolish Structures by July 9
Phuket authorities have given businesses encroaching on Nui Beach until July 9 to demolish their structures and return the land to the Royal Forestry Department, or face legal action
Key Points
- 1Phuket officials ordered demolition of 39 illegal structures on Nui Beach by July 9
- 2Businesses must return 15 rai of national reserve forest land to the Royal Forestry Department
- 3The demolition order was signed by the department director-general and follows a ministerial directive
- 4Local courts have ruled that encroachers must vacate and restore the beach, but appeals are ongoing
Authorities in Phuket have issued a firm deadline to businesses operating on Nui Beach, requiring them to demolish all structures encroaching on protected land by July 9. The order, posted by forestry, interior ministry, and police officials on Friday, mandates that operators return the land to the Royal Forestry Department or face legal consequences. Official letters were affixed to all affected shops and at the beach entrance, underscoring the seriousness of the action
The demolition directive follows a series of failed attempts to secure in-person acknowledgments from business owners, with only their representatives present when the notices were posted. Department director-general Nikorn Sirarotchananon signed the order, acting on instructions from Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin to clear illegal operations from beach areas. Thanandorn Phetdee, a forestry official on-site, stated that 39 structures were found to be illegally built on roughly 15 rai of Khao Nak Koet National Reserve Forest land
Local residents and beach visitors have long complained about being charged unauthorized fees to access Nui and Freedom beaches. The issue escalated to the courts, with the Phuket Provincial Court and Court of Appeals both ordering the removal of illegal businesses and restoration of the beach. Despite these rulings, the encroachers have appealed to the Supreme Court after contesting the matter in the Administrative Court
OG Lab notes that this decisive move by Phuket authorities could set a precedent for other Thai islands facing similar challenges. The outcome will be closely watched by both local communities and visitors who value free and fair access to Thailand's renowned beaches
