Phuket Authorities Set July Deadline for Demolition of Beachfront Encroaching Hotels
Phuket officials will begin demolishing hotels, shops, and resorts illegally built on beaches and forest land starting in July, following rejected owner petitions and posted demolition notices
Key Points
- 1Phuket authorities will demolish hotels and shops encroaching on beaches and reserved forest land starting in July
- 2Property owners on Nui beach have until July 9 to comply with demolition notices before the government intervenes
- 3Resorts on Sirinat National Park's boundary and buildings on Freedom and Bang Tao beaches are also targeted for removal
- 4Court rulings will lead to the revocation of title deeds for encroaching properties before demolition
- 5A total of 39 shops on Nui beach and 37 buildings on Bang Tao beach are slated for dismantling
Phuket officials are preparing to demolish hotels and shops found to be illegally encroaching on beaches and reserved forest land, with action set to begin in July. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin announced that property owners on Nui beach, located on the island's southwest coast, have had their petitions rejected, and demolition notices have been posted. "Owners have been given a deadline of July 9 to comply. If they fail to do so, the government will carry out the demolitions at the owners’ expense," Suchart stated at Government House
The crackdown is not limited to Nui beach; authorities are also targeting resorts encroaching on the boundaries of Sirinat National Park on the west coast, as well as buildings on other popular beaches such as Freedom and Bang Tao. According to forest officials, 39 shops on Nui beach and 37 buildings on Bang Tao beach have been slated for removal next month. Thanandorn Phetdee, a local forest official, confirmed, "39 shops would be dismantled on Nui beach next month."
Legal proceedings are also underway, with final court rulings on the encroaching properties to be sent to the Department of Lands, which will then revoke the title deeds before demolition proceeds. The Royal Forest Department and Department of Natural Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation are coordinating efforts to ensure compliance and restore affected coastal areas to their natural state
For Koh Samui residents and visitors, this development highlights the growing commitment to protecting Thailand's coastal environments. With similar enforcement possible elsewhere in the country, travelers can expect stricter oversight on beachfront properties, emphasizing the importance of preserving natural beauty for future generations
