Thailand's Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin led an operation on the 20 July, to remove 11 structures alleged to have encroached on protected forest land at Nui Beach in Phuket.
More than 200 officers from the Phayak Phrai, Phaya Suea and White Shark specialist teams joined police, local administrators and other agencies for the demolition operation in Karon subdistrict, Mueang Phuket district.
Structures targeted after appeal period ended
The operation concerns buildings within the Pa Khao Nak Kerd National Reserved Forest, where officials said forest had been cleared and land levelled for tourism-related activities, affecting natural resources and the public beach.
Suchart was accompanied by Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasit, Natural Resources and Environment Ministry deputy permanent secretary Nipon Chamnongsirisak, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation director-general Atthaphon Charoenchansa, and Royal Forest Department director-general Nikorn Sirojnanon.
The visit forms part of the government's "Phuket Model" policy, ordered by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. It identifies the recovery of natural resources, land-use regulation and action against encroachment on national reserved forests as government priorities.
Suchart said the government intended to establish a new standard for law enforcement, with all people subject to the same law regardless of whether they were influential figures or business interests.
"Today we have brought in officers to demolish 11 structures encroaching on the national reserved forest, to return the forest and beach to the public," he said. "The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will continue recovering all state land, with no discrimination and no one above the law."
More cases remain before the court
Nikorn said the 11 structures were among those seized and their appeal period has expired, allowing demolition under the National Reserved Forest Act 1964 and its amendments.
Pictures courtesy of Amarin
Officials estimate that encroachment has damaged around 15 rai of national reserved forest around Nui Beach. A further 39 structures, seized during inspections in 2020 and 2024, remain under consideration by the Administrative Court. The Royal Forest Department said it would accelerate action under the legal process.
After the demolition, the ministry plans to restore the area and develop it as a recreational forest and eco-tourism destination, according to Suchart.
What this means for Phuket visitors
For foreign residents, tourists and businesses using Phuket's coastline, the immediate effect may be clearance activity around Nui Beach and possible changes to facilities or access in the affected area.
More broadly, the operation signals continued official scrutiny of land use in Phuket, particularly where development overlaps with protected forest. Foreigners considering property, tourism or hospitality investments should ensure land titles, permits and the status of any forest boundaries have been properly checked through qualified local legal and land professionals.
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21 July 2026
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