Phuket Land Crackdown Set to Expand Nationwide Despite Court Challenge

Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Suchart Chomklin, has reaffirmed his commitment to reclaiming public land occupied without authorization, even as legal challenges against the policy continue in court.

The initiative forms part of the government’s so-called “Phuket Model,” supported by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The program focuses on recovering state-owned land, including protected forest areas and coastal zones, that authorities believe have been unlawfully occupied or developed.

According to Suchart, protecting natural resources and restoring public land for the benefit of citizens remains a key responsibility of his ministry.

“I took this position with the goal of protecting forests and recovering state land. Every decision must be based on legal principles and fairness. If officials act according to the law, we are prepared to defend those actions in court because they serve the public interest,” the minister said.

The current legal dispute involves Nui Beach in Phuket, where the Royal Forest Department issued an order under Section 25 of the National Reserved Forest Act of 1964 requiring occupants to leave the area and remove structures built on the land.

After appeals against the order were rejected, the ministry confirmed the enforcement decision. Those affected subsequently filed a case against the ministry, the Royal Forest Department and related committees, seeking to cancel the order and halt enforcement measures.

However, the Phuket Administrative Court declined to grant temporary protection to the plaintiffs, allowing government agencies to continue enforcement while the case is being reviewed. The court has agreed to examine whether the Section 25 order was issued lawfully, although several defendants were removed from the case after being deemed unrelated to the dispute.

Suchart emphasized that enforcement efforts will continue across the country and that authorities will apply the law consistently.

“There will be no exceptions and no selective enforcement. Wherever illegal encroachment on public land is discovered, the law will be enforced equally,” he stated.

The minister added that the Phuket Model is expected to serve as a framework for similar land recovery operations nationwide.