Phuket Sets August 5 Deadline to Remove Illegal Structures at Freedom Beach

Phuket authorities have ordered the removal of illegal structures at Freedom Beach, giving occupants until August 5 to vacate the area and demolish 22 unauthorized buildings. The official notices and enforcement order from Thailand’s Royal Forest Department (RFD) were posted at the beach and in the surrounding forest on July 6. A similar order, with a July 9 deadline, was previously issued for Nui Beach.

According to the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket), the order was issued under Section 25 of the National Reserved Forest Act of 1964. It covers approximately nine rai of protected forest within the Nak Kerd Hills Forest Reserve.

Those occupying the land have been instructed to leave the site and remove all structures by August 5, 2026. Authorities identified a total of 22 buildings and other structures within the disputed area.

Occupants have the right to appeal the order to the Director-General of the Royal Forest Department within 15 days of receiving the notice, making July 21 the deadline for appeals. However, PR Phuket emphasized that filing an appeal does not automatically suspend enforcement unless a separate decision is issued.

If the structures are not removed by the deadline, the Royal Forest Department or its authorized representatives will carry out the demolition. The costs of the operation will then be recovered from those responsible for occupying the land.

Officials stated that, before issuing the order, affected parties were given an opportunity to present evidence supporting their claims. Authorities reviewed land ownership documents, inheritance records, information relating to rights within the forest reserve, aerial photographs, and evidence of land use.

After examining all submitted materials, the Royal Forest Department concluded that the evidence did not invalidate the findings of illegal occupation and that any ownership claims were inconsistent with the legal status of the protected forest area.