NATURAL Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin flew to Phuket to oversee the demolition of illegal structures at Nui beach, Karon district, which started this morning (July 20), Manager Online and Amarin TV said.
Suchart, who was accompanied by Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasit and his delegation, arrived by helicopter at Khao Daeng football field in Rawai subdistrict, Mueang Phuket district, at 10.40 a.m. with Deputy Phuket Governor Romdon Haji Awae and his team there to greet him.
This followed the start of the demolition of the illegal structures on this beach earlier this morning with Suchart saying that officials would gradually inspect other beaches with similar encroachment patterns.
He affirmed that the law would be enforced equally, regardless of how long the structures had been in place because if they were built on state land, they would be demolished.
Suchart acknowledged that in some cases, land buyers or those holding possession rights may have been unaware of the facts. The government is prepared to consider each case individually based on the facts. However, those who illegally encroach on or occupy state land must return the land to the state for the benefit of the public.
The sight of over 400 officials from various agencies armed with weapons and heavy machinery surrounding the disputed area north of Nui beach early this morning in preparation to demolish the illegal structures shocked tourists and locals alike.
Many questioned the necessity of such a large force, given reports that there are only a few residents in these properties. They also noted that the demolition would only involve two backhoes, yet so many officials were deployed.
The landowners claimed they had attempted to exercise their legal rights by filing a petition with the Administrative Court for a temporary injunction before the demolition, with this process still ongoing. Additional administrative orders had been issued, preventing them from applying for protection in time, leading them to believe they were at a disadvantage in the process.
Meanwhile, it was reported that the large team of officials from several agencies had stayed overnight in the disputed area, bringing in machinery in preparation for demolition early in the morning, creating a tense atmosphere.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page: A large team of officials getting ready to demolish illegal structures at Phuket’s Nui beach. Photos – Amarin TV
Insert: Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin at Nui Beach. Photo – Manager Online
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