The investigation began after local residents filed a formal complaint alleging that construction at the Big Buddha site had caused the deadly landslide last Friday (Aug 23) that killed 13 people and directly damaged more than 50 homes.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the landslide began just five metres from the temple’s newly constructed parking lot.
Sorasak Rananan, Director of the Phuket Provincial Forestry Center, along with forestry officials, inspected and seized over five rai of land in three locations around the Big Buddha site.
The signs posted today clearly marked the land in question as “Seized area”.
The signs noted that the seizure of the land followed a formal complaint filed with Karon Police. The case number noted on the sign was CC 1442256703129.
The signs also explicitly explained that such notice “Prohibits any person from taking possession”.
Mr Sorasak confirmed that a formal complaint was filed with Karon Police on Tuesday (Aug 27) regarding the alleged encroachment, leading to the inspection of the site earlier this week.
The Big Buddha foundation, called the Phra Phuttha Ming Mongkol Sattha 45 Foundation (click here), was accused of illegally occupying 5 rai 19 square wah of forest reserve land, Mr Sorasak said.
A summons has been issued for a “Mr Suphawanichkul”, the president of the Phra Phuttha Ming Mongkol Foundation, to provide a statement on Sept 5, he added.
Meanwhile, Royal Forest Department deputy chief Bannaruk Sermthong has announced, “When the case is concluded, all structures, including the Big Buddha, will be demolished.”