DNP applies for land papers for Phuket’s Trisara, Pullman and Malaiwana to be cancelled

[Lite Beer]

DNP applies for land papers for Phuket’s Trisara, Pullman and Malaiwana to be cancelled

Nattha Thepbamrung

The Pullman Resort at the north end of Naithon Beach.

PHUKET: The Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has recommended cancellation of papers for 17 land parcels totalling around 100 rai – worth an estimated B5 billion and registered as owned by five companies in Phuket.

The five companies include Pullman Arcadia Co Ltd (the Pullman Arcadia Naithon Beach resort), Three Dolphins Co Ltd (the Trisara resort) and Malai Hill Co (The Malaiwana property development).

The other two are United Developers Corp and Three Dolphins Resort Co Ltd (for land in Cherng Talay).

Sirinart Marine National Park chief Kitiphat Taraphiban told The Phuket News today, “We have recommended that the Land Department revoke the 17 plots but we still do not know if the owners or other parties will reject the decision and file an appeal.

“If the process is done completely and the land is restored to the national park, we still have to think about what to do with the buildings on the land, which are worth billions or possibly trillions of baht. We need to speak with the government about this.”

He said that 20 teams of investigators have been working for about six weeks on another 2,600 rai of land believed to belong to Sirinart National Park, but with land titles already issued to pivate individuals or corporations.

“There are 16 teams of five specialists each from the Land Management Office regions 1-16 who are doing the work on the ground, another team handling the paperwork and three more from the Bureau of Preserved Land Reconstruction and Development doing cadastral surveys and interpreting aerial photographs.”

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) had approved a budget of B12 million for three months’ work by the various teams, he added.

“The teams are expected to finish their investigations within three months, which is around the end of January next year.

“Today we had a training session about legal tricks [used by encroachers], attended by the 20 teams of officers working on the Sirinart Park encroachment issue.”

None of the “owners” of the land on which papers have been rescinded was immediately available for comment.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/dnp-applies-for-land-papers-for-phukets-trisara-pullman-and-malaiwana-to-be-cancelled-50095.php

-- Phuket News 2014-12-12

[MobileContent]

Good news I would say.

[tx22cb]

"the buildings on the land, which are worth billions or possibly trillions of baht"

Jeez, thank goodness the Park chief is not in charge of Finance ...

[inzman]

Som nom na

[timewilltell]

So if people have bought property on these developments unaware of the fraud that was committed in issuing the title deeds, what happens? I don't know if there are condos or villas the unsuspecting have bought in good faith but if so it is a huge issue.

Why is there not already arrests of the local government officials who signed off on these illegal deeds? One expects a government issued document to be legal, even if it is local government. The level of deceit and corruption and resulting injustices is beyond comparison in this place.

[steelepulse]

I wonder who will take ultimate responsibility for this cock up? It's a rhetorical question as I don't see any of the officials who took the money wanting to take responsibility for this blatant breaking of the law for personal gain.

[Nuddy]

I find it amazing that any one would have such arrogance to not only apparently steal the National Park but also to expend substantial funds on the buildings on said land.

Is there no conscience?

[nkg]

Good news I would say.

Really? Who would benefit from this?

Those 3 resorts probably employ around 1000 Thais. Forcing people out of their jobs, and letting the resorts "return to nature" - is this really the best solution for the people of Thailand?

[stuarty]

is this really the best solution for the people of Thailand?

It is if Thailand wants to get away from its image as the sick, corrupt man of Asia.

[inzman]

Wow, so crazy responses, maybe I should open up a resort in public land and employ many Thais. Should be ok right? Don't matter it's on protected public land as long as I employ Thais? What about the 65 million Thais that really own the land, is this fair?

[jpeg]

I find it amazing that any one would have such arrogance to not only apparently steal the National Park but also to expend substantial funds on the buildings on said land.

Is there no conscience?

Then, you are very easily 'amazed'

[jpeg]

Wow, so crazy responses, maybe I should open up a resort in public land and employ many Thais. Should be ok right? Don't matter it's on protected public land as long as I employ Thais? What about the 65 million Thais that really own the land, is this fair?

You are labouring under the delusion that 'the Thais' per se, along with the citizens of any country, actually own the land upon which they temporarily sit. They don't.

Edited December 13, 2014 by jpeg

[jpeg]

Good news I would say.

Really? Who would benefit from this?

Those 3 resorts probably employ around 1000 Thais. Forcing people out of their jobs, and letting the resorts "return to nature" - is this really the best solution for the people of Thailand?

Waeell, we could equaly argue the same point re the sun lounger crew. Where does it end?At what point is a 'halt' called? Geddit? Duh.

[Suffinator]

So if people have bought property on these developments unaware of the fraud that was committed in issuing the title deeds, what happens? I don't know if there are condos or villas the unsuspecting have bought in good faith but if so it is a huge issue.

Why is there not already arrests of the local government officials who signed off on these illegal deeds? One expects a government issued document to be legal, even if it is local government. The level of deceit and corruption and resulting injustices is beyond comparison in this place.

And this is why no foreigner should buy land or property in Thailand. The system is just too corrupt and none of the officials who were involved in this are ever likely to be prosecuted.

Stick to renting and as soon as things go pear shaped pack your bags and move.

It's almost certain these companies will appeal ... after all I'm sure they will cite that they bought said property in good faith and undertook the necessary due diligence by having lawyers confirm the validity of the land documents issued by the Land Department.

It never ceases to amaze me at how many foreigners still buy property in Thailand without truly understanding the way in which Thais do business. Still I suspect there will be many more fools stepping off the plane in the future and there will be those waiting to scam them.

[gamini]

So if people have bought property on these developments unaware of the fraud that was committed in issuing the title deeds, what happens? I don't know if there are condos or villas the unsuspecting have bought in good faith but if so it is a huge issue.

Why is there not already arrests of the local government officials who signed off on these illegal deeds? One expects a government issued document to be legal, even if it is local government. The level of deceit and corruption and resulting injustices is beyond comparison in this place.

And this is why no foreigner should buy land or property in Thailand. The system is just too corrupt and none of the officials who were involved in this are ever likely to be prosecuted.

Stick to renting and as soon as things go pear shaped pack your bags and move.

It's almost certain these companies will appeal ... after all I'm sure they will cite that they bought said property in good faith and undertook the necessary due diligence by having lawyers confirm the validity of the land documents issued by the Land Department.

It never ceases to amaze me at how many foreigners still buy property in Thailand without truly understanding the way in which Thais do business. Still I suspect there will be many more fools stepping off the plane in the future and there will be those waiting to scam them.

A lot of Farangs in Real Estate business are the worst scammers

[espinoza]

Good news I would say.

Really? Who would benefit from this?

Those 3 resorts probably employ around 1000 Thais. Forcing people out of their jobs, and letting the resorts "return to nature" - is this really the best solution for the people of Thailand?

I think this is the best solution, it will teach the <removed> that doing wrong will bring back the wrong one day. If they cannot operate legally they should not operate. Like in the western countries.

Flatten it down, let the bastards pay. If someone bought in good fatih they will sort it out according to Thai traditions. And if they does so it also shows how right it was to take this action. They should also prosecute every so-called owners for corruption.

[Roel]

People who bought in will lose their properties and then have to prosecute the developers and prove they obtained official title documents illegally (read: brown envelopes). The developers are certainly very busy - as we speak - relocating funds abroad and putting assets in other people's names. If they have not done so from the start. Later they will state - like the old Keesin did - that although they look rich they actually are poor. They are even in debt because of bank loans (completely ignoring the fact that everybody and his mother knows banks do not lend serious money to poor people).

[nkg]

Good news I would say.

Really? Who would benefit from this?

Those 3 resorts probably employ around 1000 Thais. Forcing people out of their jobs, and letting the resorts "return to nature" - is this really the best solution for the people of Thailand?

Waeell, we could equaly argue the same point re the sun lounger crew. Where does it end?At what point is a 'halt' called? Geddit? Duh.

That's a ridiculous comparison. The "sun lounger crew" were thugs participating in organized crime, making huge amounts of money in the process. Hotel employees are normal law-abiding people pursuing their careers.

The resorts should probably be hit with punitive fines, but closing them would be ridiculous.

The authorities had their chance to stop these resorts being built, and they blew it. Knocking down thriving businesses that have been established for several years - sounds like a great way to scare foreign investors away from Thailand.

[jpeg]

Good news I would say.

Really? Who would benefit from this?

Those 3 resorts probably employ around 1000 Thais. Forcing people out of their jobs, and letting the resorts "return to nature" - is this really the best solution for the people of Thailand?

Waeell, we could equaly argue the same point re the sun lounger crew. Where does it end?At what point is a 'halt' called? Geddit? Duh.

That's a ridiculous comparison. The "sun lounger crew" were thugs participating in organized crime, making huge amounts of money in the process. Hotel employees are normal law-abiding people pursuing their careers.

The resorts should probably be hit with punitive fines, but closing them would be ridiculous.

The authorities had their chance to stop these resorts being built, and they blew it. Knocking down thriving businesses that have been established for several years - sounds like a great way to scare foreign investors away from Thailand.

One cannot be a 'little bit' pregnant. Corruption IS corruption. Your suggesting Thais employed by large resorts should not be compared to Thais backhanding local govt officials to make money off the beaches is silly. Following your line of thinking, they can build anywhere they bloody well like, so long as they keep Thais in work. Kaojai mai? Duh.

[stevenl]

Good news I would say.

Really? Who would benefit from this?

Those 3 resorts probably employ around 1000 Thais. Forcing people out of their jobs, and letting the resorts "return to nature" - is this really the best solution for the people of Thailand?

Waeell, we could equaly argue the same point re the sun lounger crew. Where does it end?At what point is a 'halt' called? Geddit? Duh.

That's a ridiculous comparison. The "sun lounger crew" were thugs participating in organized crime, making huge amounts of money in the process. Hotel employees are normal law-abiding people pursuing their careers.

The resorts should probably be hit with punitive fines, but closing them would be ridiculous.

The authorities had their chance to stop these resorts being built, and they blew it. Knocking down thriving businesses that have been established for several years - sounds like a great way to scare foreign investors away from Thailand.

Most of the sun lounger crew were normal employees.