Report Phuket Landslide Investigation Stalled by Bureaucratic Delays

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Picture courtesy of Phuket News

 

The investigation into a deadly landslide in Phuket that claimed 13 lives last August remains stalled, with authorities unable to proceed without definitive expert evidence regarding potential construction faults. Nearly a year after the landslide devastated the forest area in Kata, no charges have been filed, leaving grieving families without closure or justice.

 

Police Lieutenant Colonel Ekkasak Kwanwan of Karon Police Station stated that the probe is at a standstill, pending a crucial technical report from the Office of Mineral Resources Region 4. This report is expected to determine whether unauthorized construction at the Big Buddha Viewpoint contributed to the catastrophic event. Lt Col Ekkasak emphasized the necessity of this expert evidence before advancing to interviews with key individuals, including Suporn Wanichkul, President of the Phra Phuttha Ming Mongkol Sattha 45 Foundation, which manages the site.

 

Initially, the landslides were attributed to heavy rainfall and natural erosion. However, initial findings from the Department of Mineral Resources suggested that unauthorized construction could have exacerbated the natural threats, turning them into a fatal disaster. The affected area falls under the Royal Forest Department's jurisdiction, and campaigners argue that substandard construction practices on the steep slopes may have been a critical factor.

 

The investigation's inertia has sparked frustration, particularly among legal experts. Rungnapa Phutkaew, President of the Phuket Bar Association, criticized the slow progress and emphasized that victims might need to pursue compensation through civil courts. She pointed out that even though construction was ranked as the fourth cause of the landslide behind natural factors, it remains a significant element of concern for establishing accountability.

 

Victims and their families have been urged to collect any relevant documents, like engineering reports and property assessments, which could substantiate claims possibly amounting to 10 million baht in damages. The association is organizing a meeting between victims and legal advisors next week to explore gathering independent expert testimony that could bolster the case.

 

As the bureaucratic stalemate persists, the criminal investigation remains inactive, a situation that continues to delay justice for those affected by the tragedy. Until an expert report provides the necessary clarity, the case is mired in red tape, leaving affected families and the community in anticipation of answers and accountability.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-13