Phuket Hotel Ordered Demolished After Supreme Court Rules It Encroached on National Park

Authorities in Phuket have begun enforcing a Supreme Court ruling ordering the demolition of a hotel development found to have illegally occupied protected land within Sirinat National Park.

According to the Phuket Provincial Public Relations Office, the action forms part of the government's "Phuket Model", a province-wide initiative aimed at reclaiming protected land, accelerating legal proceedings involving encroachment, and revoking unlawfully issued land documents.

Officials said six cases involving land inside Sirinat National Park are currently being processed under the initiative. Two of those cases have already reached final court judgments, allowing authorities to move forward with enforcement.

One of the completed cases concerns a hotel and villa project in Sakhu Subdistrict, Thalang District, covering more than 13 rai. The Supreme Court ruled that the development had been built on land belonging to Sirinat National Park, revoked the property's title deeds, and ordered all buildings on the site to be demolished.

Authorities have formally notified those occupying the land to remove the structures and vacate the area within the period specified by law. If they fail to comply, officials will carry out the demolition themselves in accordance with the court's order.

A second finalized case involves approximately 12 rai in Cherng Talay Subdistrict, where the court found that land title deeds had been obtained using forged Sor Kor 1 documents. The occupants have been ordered to leave the property.

In total, more than 25 rai of disputed land is currently undergoing enforcement procedures.

Officials also announced that the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is preparing a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Interior and the Department of Lands to strengthen cooperation on reviewing questionable land titles, revoking illegally issued documents, expediting legal proceedings, and expanding investigations into other protected areas.

Authorities said the Phuket Model will remain the province's primary framework for tackling illegal land occupation, enforcing final court decisions, and protecting environmentally sensitive areas from further encroachment.