Thai Prime Minister to Personally Inspect Beach Encroachment Cases in Phuket

Thai Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is scheduled to visit Phuket on May 10, 2026, to personally inspect ongoing investigations into illegal land encroachment along the island’s coastline.

The field mission is aimed at reinforcing the government’s efforts to protect public beaches, preserve natural resources, and ensure compliance with environmental and land-use laws.

The first inspection will take place at Bang Tao Beach in Cherng Thalay, Thalang district, between 11:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Officials are expected to review allegations involving unlawful occupation and unauthorized construction on beachfront land, an issue that has become increasingly sensitive amid rapid tourism-related development in Phuket.

Later in the day, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., the prime minister will continue the inspection at Freedom Beach in Karon, Mueang Phuket district. Authorities recently launched enforcement measures there to reclaim public land and restore access to the beach.

Government representatives say the visit reflects a broader national policy focused on protecting coastal areas from illegal private use while maintaining public access to Phuket’s beaches.

By overseeing the inspections in person, Anutin Charnvirakul is signaling stricter enforcement against unlawful land occupation and emphasizing the administration’s commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable tourism management.

The inspections come amid increasing public attention toward beach access rights and land-use disputes in several popular tourist areas across Phuket.