Sirinat National Park & land chanotes

[simon43]

This morning I read on Phuket News that the NP office has a detailed map of the boundaries of the NP and of Chanotes that have been issued for land that lies within the NP. The news report said that the Park office invited interested parties to visit them to check whether or not their land was inside or outside the NP.

NOTE! - I am merely reporting what I saw and heard, and am not making any personal statement about the legality or not of any land of interest, (that should cover the defamation charges...)

So off I went to their office at Nai Yang and met with a very nice Thai guy who had a queue of 'interested parties' carrying their Chanote documents. After about 45 minutes I was able to chat with the Park official and to check his map. (My justification for looking at the map was to check if my old hotel was outside the park boundaries and also for some land that my company used to own in Moobahn Saku).

The map itself is on the official's laptop computer. It's an up-to-date Google satellite map onto which is superimposed the boundaries of the NP and adjacent forest reserve, and then all the Chanotes that have been issued and which lie inside the NP or across it's boundaries.

I can tell you that the Park officials have been working hard, because there were literally dozens of land plots that not only lay across the NP borders, but were also slapbang inside the NP!

For many land titles issued, there could be no excuse that the exact NP boundaries were not clear. What I saw on that map was a very clear demonstration of the level of corruption of officials who issued those Chanotes.

Some points of interest that I can mention from viewing the map:

- My old hotel is outside the NP, as is Perennial Resort (on Moo 1, right next to the southern edge of the airport)

- Dewa Hotel and it's condos are right inside the NP

- The car-park of L'Esprit de Nai Yang is outside the NP, but 90% of this newish hotel is inside the NP

- Adamas Hotel is inside the NP

- Despite what I read to the contrary, Phuket Peninsula seems to be inside the NP

I asked what would happen to all Chanote land titles that had been illegally-issued - his reply was that they would all be confiscated and the buildings demolished.

I am glad that I took the opportunity to learn to read Thai, because I was able to read the various notes on his office whiteboard, which referred to various businesses on NY beach, Naithon Beach and Sai Kaeo Beach. For NY Beach, it seems that the business (restaurant) that is built at the far end of the string of businesses on the beach may have a problem....

Anyway, I was impressed with the dedication and hard work that the park officials have put in to identify all the land plots within the NP.

If you have the chance, go and check out this map for yourself (good to take a Thai-speaker).

[NamKangMan]

"I was impressed with the dedication and hard work that the park officials have put in to identify all the land plots within the NP." - where was the same "dedication and hard work" when the land was being stolen?

They were either incompetent, or receiving corrupt payments.

[Jimi007]

"I was impressed with the dedication and hard work that the park officials have put in to identify all the land plots within the NP." - where was the same "dedication and hard work" when the land was being stolen?

They were either incompetent, or receiving corrupt payments.

Money ruled before, now the army does…

[NamKangMan]

"I was impressed with the dedication and hard work that the park officials have put in to identify all the land plots within the NP." - where was the same "dedication and hard work" when the land was being stolen?

They were either incompetent, or receiving corrupt payments.

Money ruled before, now the army does…

Maybe so, but does that mean no one will be accountable for all their ill gotten gains - or only the Mayor of Karon?

What about ALL the people that took money when this National Park land was being stolen.

No investigation and no consequenses, equals no deterrent in the future.

[Guest]

Was it this map? http://www.dsi-map.go.th/

Tip of the day: Google translate will turn the drawings (thai letters) to English

[Jimi007]

"I was impressed with the dedication and hard work that the park officials have put in to identify all the land plots within the NP." - where was the same "dedication and hard work" when the land was being stolen?

They were either incompetent, or receiving corrupt payments.

Money ruled before, now the army does…

Maybe so, but does that mean no one will be accountable for all their ill gotten gains - or only the Mayor of Karon?

What about ALL the people that took money when this National Park land was being stolen.

No investigation and no consequenses, equals no deterrent in the future.

Do you read the Phuket Wan? I do, there are many investigations going on into land titles and government officials. The Mayor of Karon was brought down by a two month long under cover investigation. Please do try to keep up. Even the OP said they are investigating the park lands...

[NamKangMan]

"I was impressed with the dedication and hard work that the park officials have put in to identify all the land plots within the NP." - where was the same "dedication and hard work" when the land was being stolen?

They were either incompetent, or receiving corrupt payments.

Money ruled before, now the army does…

Maybe so, but does that mean no one will be accountable for all their ill gotten gains - or only the Mayor of Karon?

What about ALL the people that took money when this National Park land was being stolen.

No investigation and no consequenses, equals no deterrent in the future.

Do you read the Phuket Wan? I do, there are many investigations going on into land titles and government officials. The Mayor of Karon was brought down by a two month long under cover investigation. Please do try to keep up. Even the OP said they are investigating the park lands...

I don't read the PW, but I'll have a look at it.

The OP seemed to have praise for the staff. I was simply pointing out where were these staff when the land was being stolen?

If the PW says they are being investigated, why is the OP praising them? It's quite obvious they must have been complicit in the theft of the land.

Edited July 28, 2014 by NamKangMan

[Shot]

Edited July 28, 2014 by Shot

[Jimi007]

Do you read the Phuket Wan? I do, there are many investigations going on into land titles and government officials. The Mayor of Karon was brought down by a two month long under cover investigation. Please do try to keep up. Even the OP said they are investigating the park lands...

I don't read the PW, but I'll have a look at it.

The OP seemed to have praise for the staff. I was simply pointing out where were these staff when the land was being stolen?

If the PW says they are being investigated, why is the OP praising them? It's quite obvious they must have been complicit in the theft of the land.

You really need to read more…. The new boss is in town! New staff, new investigations. I don't care to explain it again….

[Guest]

pa·tience [pey-shuhns] Show IPA

But on Columbo they solve all the crimes within one hour show.

Just one more thing..

[Shot]

pa·tience [pey-shuhns] Show IPA

But on Columbo they solve all the crimes within one hour show.

Just one more thing..

take out the commercials, and its more like 10 minutes (insert smiley face)

Edited July 28, 2014 by Shot

[NamKangMan]

Do you read the Phuket Wan? I do, there are many investigations going on into land titles and government officials. The Mayor of Karon was brought down by a two month long under cover investigation. Please do try to keep up. Even the OP said they are investigating the park lands...

I don't read the PW, but I'll have a look at it.

The OP seemed to have praise for the staff. I was simply pointing out where were these staff when the land was being stolen?

If the PW says they are being investigated, why is the OP praising them? It's quite obvious they must have been complicit in the theft of the land.

You really need to read more…. The new boss is in town! New staff, new investigations. I don't care to explain it again….

A little condescending Jimi007, but no bother.

I read TV and the PG and the BP print media.

Corruption has been so rampant on Phuket, and operating with impunity, for years, that it's hard to believe it's is taking so long to gather evidence to lay charges, especially in regards to the theft of an immovable object, land, that requires considerable ownership documents and money changing hands.

Honestly, I expected a few more high profile arrests by now, rather than just denting their monthly envelopes by removing some beach restaurants.

Another member has called for some patience, fair play, but the longer the time between arrests, the more I'm starting to think that many here will not be bought to account for their decades of criminality.

That said, what has been happening here is certainly been needed for years, and is, finally, a step in the right direction.

I just hope the big players are one day held to account, so justice can be seen to be done, in the public arena.

[Jimi007]

Do you read the Phuket Wan? I do, there are many investigations going on into land titles and government officials. The Mayor of Karon was brought down by a two month long under cover investigation. Please do try to keep up. Even the OP said they are investigating the park lands...

I don't read the PW, but I'll have a look at it.

The OP seemed to have praise for the staff. I was simply pointing out where were these staff when the land was being stolen?

If the PW says they are being investigated, why is the OP praising them? It's quite obvious they must have been complicit in the theft of the land.

You really need to read more…. The new boss is in town! New staff, new investigations. I don't care to explain it again….

A little condescending Jimi007, but no bother.

I read TV and the PG and the BP print media.

Corruption has been so rampant on Phuket, and operating with impunity, for years, that it's hard to believe it's is taking so long to gather evidence to lay charges, especially in regards to the theft of an immovable object, land, that requires considerable ownership documents and money changing hands.

Honestly, I expected a few more high profile arrests by now, rather than just denting their monthly envelopes by removing some beach restaurants.

Another member has called for some patience, fair play, but the longer the time between arrests, the more I'm starting to think that many here will not be bought to account for their decades of criminality.

That said, what has been happening here is certainly been needed for years, and is, finally, a step in the right direction.

I just hope the big players are one day held to account, so justice can be seen to be done, in the public arena.

If you really want keep up to date on everything check out this news site: http://panphuket.com/news

[simon43]

where was the same "dedication and hard work" when the land was being stolen?

Indeed. My praise was really intended for the individual who had created the highly detailed map on his laptop. No idea of his involvement on the corrupt side - he was in his early 30s and wasn't driving a Merc.

Was it this map? http://www.dsi-map.go.th/

No. This was a Google satellite image of the area (zoomable), reasonably up-to-date since it showed L'Esprit de Nai Yang (newish hotel). Overlaid on that satellite map was the boundary of the NP and forest reserve, and then every land title boundary within that area. Since each Chanote plot was of irregular shape, the person who had prepared the map overlay had to locate every Chanote post GPS co-ordinates on the map and then join up the land plot boundaries.

Considering the sheer number of land plots that I saw, this task must have taken quite some time and effort..

[EBlair48]

Simon, where is this office please? I am not familiar with that area so do you have a landmark or two you can direct me with? Thanks

[simon43]

^{It is the park office right near to the beach. Drive to NY beach and turn into the park by Dewa Hoitel. Drive along about 1 km until you see a cluster of buildings on your right side with a 'Park Center' sign. There are various admin offices -just ask the staff to show you the map of all the land plots that the park authorities illegally sold}

^{Not sure on their English language skills, the young guy probably speaks some.}

^{I forgot to check on the MasaLuna Condo project legality - this is heavily promoted in the area but not yet constructed. It would be useful info for potential investors to know whether or not the project is inside the NP (my previous, approximate check says it is not inside the NP).}

[EBlair48]

^ Thanks for that.. will go tomorrow as the land I lease , (and am trying to sell for the owner to get out of that lease..) is right on the border.

I don't want to defend the folks who most likely were corrupt, but there are some issues about land owned and farmed before hand , and then missing receipts for compensation. So it isn't as cut and dried as boundaries on a map.