Suporn was called to Karon Police Station yesterday afternoon (Sept 11) to have the charge presented to him by Pol Lt Col Ekkasak Kwanwan, an Investigation Officer with Karon Police.
The same charge was also presented against the foundation.
Both entities were accused of jointly engaging in activities such as constructing, clearing, burning forests, or occupying forest land without permission.
Suporn has personally denied the charge, and denied the charge on behalf of the foundation.
The charge follows the Royal Forest Department investigating a complaint filed by local residents in Karon, who blamed illegal construction at the tourist-popular Big Buddha viewpoint for the deadly landslide on Aug 23 that killed 13 people, injured 19 others and destroyed or damaged more than 50 homes.
In conducting their investigation, RFD officers seized more than five rai of land at the Big Buddha viewpoint deemed to have been illegally expanded on by the foundation.
RFD Deputy Director-General Bannaruk Sermthong told The Phuket News, that if the foundation and its persons were found guilty of illegal encroachment, illegal structures at the site will be demolished.