Phuket Hotel News: A major enforcement campaign targeting illegal structures on some of Phuket’s most valuable coastal and protected lands is set to begin in July, with authorities confirming that hotels, resorts, shops, and other buildings found to be encroaching on public beaches and national park land will face demolition.
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In a move that could significantly reshape several tourism areas across the island, this Phuket Hotel News report finds that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has finalized preparations for a large-scale operation aimed at reclaiming public land and restoring access to protected coastal areas. Officials have confirmed that all legal appeals submitted by owners of the affected properties have been rejected, clearing the way for enforcement action.
Nui Beach to Be First Major Target
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin announced that July will serve as the official D-Day for demolition activities, with Nui Beach identified as one of the first locations where action will proceed.
Authorities have already posted official notices on structures found to be illegally occupying public land at Nui Beach on Phuket’s southwest coast. Property owners have been given until July 9 to comply with government orders. Should they fail to remove the structures themselves, authorities will move forward with demolitions and recover all associated costs from the owners.
The crackdown is expected to affect numerous businesses and structures that have occupied public beachfront land for years. Forest officials have already confirmed that 39 shops located at Nui Beach are scheduled for dismantling as part of the operation.
Sirinat National Park Hotels Under Investigation
Beyond Nui Beach, attention is also turning toward Sirinat National Park, where several hotels and tourism-related developments have been accused of encroaching on protected national park boundaries.
According to Minister Suchart, court rulings have already determined that some land title documents connected to these developments were improperly issued or are legally invalid. However, authorities must complete a series of legal procedures before demolition can occur.
The ministry is currently coordinating with the Ministry of Interior and the Department of Lands to revoke disputed title deeds. Suchart explained that even where courts have ruled against the land documents, officials cannot immediately demolish structures while title deeds remain active because doing so could expose the government to legal claims involving property damage.
To accelerate the process, the minister is compiling Supreme Court judgments together with relevant land title numbers for submission to the Department of Lands. Once revocation procedures are completed, demolition notices can be formally issued.
Wider Crackdown Expands to Freedom Beach and Bang Tao
The enforcement campaign will not be limited to Nui Beach and Sirinat National Park. Authorities have also identified Freedom Beach and several other coastal locations for action.
The Royal Forest Department will oversee operations involving structures built on reserved forest land, while the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation will manage cases involving protected national park areas.
Additional investigations have uncovered widespread encroachment across other popular tourism zones. Phuket forest officials recently revealed that 37 buildings at Bang Tao Beach are also slated for demolition after being found to occupy land illegally.
The government has described the initiative as part of a broader effort to reclaim public land, restore legal access to beaches, and ensure that protected environmental areas are preserved for future generations rather than being exploited for private commercial gain.
Government Vows Equal Enforcement
Questions have been raised about whether influential investors or powerful business interests may attempt to block enforcement efforts. However, Minister Suchart dismissed those concerns, insisting that the law would be applied equally to all parties.
“There are no influential figures. No one is bigger than the people,” he said, reinforcing the government’s commitment to moving forward regardless of the status or financial standing of those involved.
The upcoming demolitions represent one of the most significant land-reclamation efforts ever undertaken in Phuket. As authorities move from court victories to physical enforcement, the operation will serve as a major test of Thailand’s ability to reclaim public beaches, protect national park land, and ensure that tourism development proceeds within the boundaries of the law. The results could have lasting implications for land ownership, environmental protection, and the future management of some of Phuket’s most valuable coastal destinations.
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